A 16-year-old boy has been found not guilty of murdering 18-year-old Maliki Sharma, who died following a stabbing in Feltham, west London. The Old Bailey heard that the fatal confrontation followed an escalating dispute between two groups of young people.
Boy, 16, Found Not Guilty of Murder Following Fatal Stabbing of Maliki Sharma in Feltham
A 16-year-old boy has been cleared of murdering an 18-year-old man who died after being stabbed during a confrontation between two groups of young people in west London.
Maliki Sharma died after suffering a stab wound near his left armpit in Feltham on 12 January.
Following a trial at the Old Bailey, the teenage defendant, who cannot be identified for legal reasons, was found not guilty of murder.
He was also acquitted of conspiracy to cause grievous bodily harm (GBH) and violent disorder.
The court heard that the boy had acted in self-defence after being attacked by Sharma and another young man.
Dispute escalated over three days
Jurors were told that the fatal confrontation followed a dispute between two rival groups of young people.
According to the prosecution, the trouble began on 10 January when a teenager connected to one group was assaulted in Feltham by members of a group associated with Sharma.
The attack was filmed and subsequently shared on social media.
Prosecutor Catherine Farrelly KC told the court that three teenagers had then set out to find those responsible.
Two days later, two of the boys returned to the area, where Sharma and a friend launched a surprise attack on them with a knife, the jury heard.
Defendant said he acted in self-defence
During the confrontation, the first defendant used a lock knife he was carrying to stab Sharma.
The wound partially severed a major artery.
Sharma collapsed and died a short time later.
The defendant admitted possessing the knife but denied going out with the intention of seeking revenge.
He maintained that he acted to protect himself when confronted by Sharma and his friend.
Following the trial, the jury returned a not guilty verdict on the murder charge.
Other defendants face separate outcomes
A second 16-year-old boy was found not guilty of conspiracy to cause grievous bodily harm and violent disorder.
However, a third boy, also aged 16, was convicted of conspiracy to cause grievous bodily harm with intent.
He is due to be sentenced on 18 December.
Sharma's friend, who admitted violent disorder, wounding with intent and possession of a bladed article, is also scheduled to be sentenced on the same day.
The identities of the teenage defendants are protected by law.
The case highlights the circumstances surrounding a fatal confrontation that followed several days of escalating tensions between young people in Feltham.
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