Teenage 'highwaymen' who stabbed London charity worker for his iPhone found guilty of murder

Two teenagers who stabbed a charity worker for his iPhone during a four-hour violent spree through west London have been found guilty of murder.

Nathan Gilmaney and Troy Thomas, both 18, are facing life in prison for their drug-fuelled rampage last October, which left one dead and three others were stabbed.

One of the five, Abdul Samad, a 28-year-old youth worker died just yards from his Maida Vale home after being knifed.

Mr Samad had already given up his phone and wallet but was stabbed after being asked to reveal the handset’s PIN code.

The teenage pair were armed with knives and travelling on a moped.

Police also highlighted the callous nature of their attacks as they said they could hear Mr Samad crying for help after being knifed but carried on with their crime spree.

Police said the pair thought they were the modern-day equivalent of highwaymen.

Gilmaney said he carried out the fatal stabbing.

Thomas only turned 18 during the trial at the Old Bailey.

After the verdicts, Gilmaney mouthed “I love you” to his family before being led from the dock. He also exchanged a handshake with Thomas.

It was also revealed during the trial that Gilmaney had a previous conviction for robbery from when he was just 14.

The teenage was part of a gang who attacked a Japanese tourist. After kicking him in the head, he was caught on security camera dancing for joy.

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Gilmaney and Thomas had spent the night smoking cannabis before taking to the streets.

Police said they took it it in turns to be the attacker and moped rider.

One victim was stabbed in the stomach before they murdered Mr Samad.

Another victim was a 16-year-old schoolgirl returning home from a birthday party.

Detective Inspector Shaun Fitzgerald said: ‘The teenagers believed they had the right to threaten and rob wherever they wanted, often stabbing their victims for no reason at all but to prove they could.

‘They armed themselves with knives and drove around on Gilmaney’s moped, with the number plates removed, with the aim of stealing as many wallets, phones and valuables as possible.

‘Over the course of just four hours they carried out nine knife-point robberies, stabbed four people and killed Abdul, a charity youth worker and a valued and much-loved member of the community.

Gilmaney and Thomas will be sentenced on June 15.