Five teenagers convicted of killing father of three in case of mistaken identity

Five teenagers who violently stabbed a father of three to death in London in a case of mistaken identity have been convicted of his killing.

Daniel Frederick, 34, was returning from a hospital appointment with his pregnant girlfriend when he was attacked by the group just yards from his front door in Shakespeare Walk in Stoke Newington, north London.

Mr Frederick is believed to have been an innocent victim of violence in the area.

One of his attackers, aged 16, had sought revenge after his friend was attacked in prison by a rival group, the Old Bailey heard.

The teenager, who cannot be named for legal reason, pleaded guilty to murder.

Kacper Karasinski, 19, of Hackney, and another 17-year-old boy were found guilty of murder.

Yigiter Gok, 18, of Stoke Newington, and another 17-year-old boy were found guilty of manslaughter.

All but of of the five attackers had previous convictions for carrying a knife.

Witnesses saw the “sinister and intimidating” youths wielding knives as they walked purposefully towards Mr Frederick, wearing dark clothes, hoodies and masks.

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The group was picked up on CCTV cameras as they ran off towards the Hill Court Estate in Hackney, shedding clothes as they went.

Three knives were later retrieved by police, although the prosecution could not say which were used in the attack.

However, a pathologist confirmed that more than one knife would have been used to stab Mr Frederick.

Within an hour and a half of police issuing a public appeal, Karasinski booked a flight to Oslo, but was arrested at the airport.

Gok fled on a ferry to France and travelled on to Turkey before returning to the UK in March.

He later admitted being at the scene of the murder, but denied taking part.

Detective Inspector Paul Considine, the senior investigating officer from the Met’s Homicide and Major Crime Command, said: “This was a ruthless, violent and unprovoked attack in which Daniel stood no chance. He was completely taken by surprise by his attackers who cowardly stabbed him in the back giving him no opportunity to defend himself.

“All five defendants disguised and armed themselves and willingly carried out a brutal attack on Daniel knowing it was likely there would only be one outcome, the infliction of very serious injuries or death.

“This was a complex investigation made more difficult as Daniel was mistakenly targeted by his attackers. My team diligently pieced together the evidence and then located, arrested and charged all those responsible for his death. I am delighted that the jury has convicted the defendants and hope it provides Daniel’s family with a small measure of comfort and closure.”