A 19-year-old has been jailed for four years after stabbing a school pupil in a "vicious and senseless attack" in south London.
The victim, a 16-year-old boy, was walking home from school in June when he was confronted by Roland Gegbe and another man.
The schoolboy was repeatedly knifed on Amesbury Avenue, Streatham Hill, before being rushed to hospital, Scotland Yard said in a statement.
Gegbe was sentenced at Inner London Crown Court on Monday following a trial at the same court on November 26.
He had previously pleading guilty to grievous bodily harm with intent and possession of a bladed/pointed article in public.
The court heard how the schoolboy was confronted on the way home by two strangers - Gegbe and another unnamed male.
The three got into an argument over a perceived “dirty look” where the suspects threatened the victim with violence.
The 16-year-old turned to walk away when a second altercation began and Gegbe produced a knife.
The victim tried to use a piece of scaffolding to defend himself but ended up in the middle of the road, where Gegbe stabbed him three times before fleeing to his home address.
The teenager sustained three stab wounds which penetrated his lung and liver causing serious damage.
Members of the public who witnessed the attack were able to attend the victim with the vital first aid he needed, police said.
Both London Ambulance Service and London’s Air Ambulance attended the scene and the victim was taken to hospital for treatment.
Gegbe was later arrested at his home address.
Detective Sergeant Rhodri Gardner from South Area CID based at Lambeth said: “This was a vicious and senseless attack after a disagreement.
“Gegbe’s callous actions not only affected the victim with his injuries that day but they may have affected his future too.
“He was due to start a professional football scholarship in 2018 and because of the injuries sustained he was unable to attend.
“He made a full medical recovery but clearly his injuries may prevent him pursuing a life a as a professional footballer or athlete.
“I would like to thank the members of public who stepped in to support the victim with first aid until emergency services arrived and for assisting officers with our enquiries. It is only with the help of our communities that we can bring offenders to justice.
“There are many incidents involving teenagers that can escalate quickly from a low level dispute.
“Many will think that saving face is important but it is never worth it. In this instance the victim ended up with life threatening injuries and the other in prison.
“I want young people to think ahead and have a plan about how to deal with conflict so it doesn’t escalate.
“This something that I want parents to be involved in, to be proactive in communicating this message to their children. Protecting our young people is something we should all be involved in.”
