Family of Slain Teen Expresses Satisfaction with Justice After Murder Convictions

Kemoy Walker, the uncle of Prince Walker-Ayeni, a teenager fatally stabbed, characterized the murder trial as a “tough three weeks,” but stated that “finally, justice has been served.” Prince Walker-Ayeni was killed on 4 April in Moss Side, Manchester, by two 16-year-old boys, just days before he would have turned 18. Following his nephew’s death, Kemoy Walker, who is a notable anti-knife crime advocate in the city, expressed his desire for a strategy to address the problem, specifically one “organised by local people.” A jury at Manchester Minshull Street Crown Court found the two boys guilty of murder on Wednesday. Their identities cannot be disclosed due to their age. The two teenagers had previously denied their involvement in Prince’s murder during the assault on Raby Street. After the jury’s verdict of guilty, their sentencing is scheduled for 19 December. Additionally, Saima Habib, 44, received a conviction for perverting the course of justice and will also be sentenced on 19 December. Kemoy Walker commented, “My family feels happy that justice is served, although it won’t bring Prince back, we are happy to hear a good outcome.” He characterized the case as a “good example of when the system works well.” Mr. Walker, a youth worker, has a history of campaigning in Moss Side, aiming to support and engage young people and divert them from knife crime. He acknowledged that many other families impacted by knife violence do not achieve “justice in their families, so my heart goes out to them.” He further stated, “Speaking to other youth workers, there needs to be the development of an anti-knife crime strategy that is local to Manchester and is organised by local people.” Mr. Walker emphasized the necessity for a “big conversation” regarding the “big crisis” of knife crime prevalent among young people, asserting, “We need to get to grips with it, it’s too much blaming the system and everyone else.” These remarks follow the seizure of over 90 weapons, which included knives and a machete, by Greater Manchester Police from schools within the region during the previous academic year.