Killer given life sentence over murder of ‘mate’

A man who chased his unarmed former ‘friend’ down a Tottenham street and fatally stabbed him has been jailed.

Momodu Samura, aged 23, of Stanley Road, Tottenham, was sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum term of 23 years for the murder of 21-year-old Tyreke Watson. It followed a sentencing hearing at Wood Green Crown Court on Friday, 13th May.

Samura was found guilty of murder and possession of a bladed article following a trial at the same court in March. He was given a concurrent term of imprisonment of twelve months for the possession of a bladed article and 13 months for possession with intent to supply cocaine and heroin, which he had separately pleaded guilty to.

The fatal attack took place in West Green Road in February 2021, at around 4pm. Tyreke was due to become a father when he was killed. His daughter was born four months later.

In a statement read to the court, Tyreke’s mother said: “The 22nd of February 2021 is a date that changed mine and my family’s life forever. This was the date my son Tyreke died, this was the date our son Tyreke was murdered. The pain and suffering I felt that day as a mother is still with me, and I know it will never go away.

“Tyreke was the only child my husband and I had together. He was our everything, bringing us happiness and joy. Even though there is an empty place in my heart I, along with my family, will always have cherished memories of Tyreke that no one can ever take away.

“Before Tyreke was killed he found out that he was going to be a father. We were all so excited and happy, Tyreke more than any of us. On 2nd June 2021, Tyreke’s daughter was born. She will never know her father and Tyreke never had the opportunity to meet his daughter. His daughter will never receive the love that Tyreke had to offer and will only know her father through photos, stories and our beloved memories.

“Unless you have buried your child, no-one will ever understand the emotion my husband and I feel. I simply don’t have the vocabulary to explain how devastated we are.

“Young men like Tyreke are being murdered on the streets of London far too often. The Met Police has demonstrated in this court what a fantastic job they are doing but, they need the support of the community, they need the support of London.”

Detective Chief Inspector Linda Bradley, from the Metropolitan Police’s specialist crime command, said: “Tyreke was only 21 years old and had his whole life ahead of him when he was senselessly murdered by Samura, who at one point claims to have been his friend.

“At the time of his death, Tyreke and his girlfriend were expecting a baby. The baby is now a year old and she will grow up never having known her father.

“Our thoughts very much remain with Tyreke’s family and friends; they have been stoic and dignified throughout the legal proceedings and we hope the conclusion of the trial allows them to move forward.

“Samura equally is a young man who had his whole life ahead of him. He will now rightly face the consequences of carrying and using a knife. This dreadful incident clearly highlights that carrying a knife can only ever lead to tragedy.”