Judge lifts anonymity order on Gateshead teenage killer Leighton Amies

The defendant, who was 14 at the time, was also found guilty of attempting to inflict grievous bodily harm on another teenager, who jumped backwards to avoid a second blow with the knife seconds after the fatal injury was inflicted on Tomasz Oleszak.

Both verdicts were returned unanimously by the jury at Newcastle Crown Court which had retired to begin deliberations on Friday, more than three weeks after the start of the trial.

Following the convictions, the judge in the case, Mr Justice Martin Spencer said detention at His Majesty’s pleasure is “inevitable” for a teenager convicted of murder.

Read more: Jury considering verdict for Tomasz Oleszak at Newcastle Crown Court

He will be sentenced at the court on Thursday June 15.

But the judge will hear submissions as to whether the identity of the defendant, now aged 15, can be publicly revealed.

Up to now, due to his age, he has enjoyed the anonymity of the court, but the judge said that following the guilty verdicts that may be outweighed by the public interest in identifying him given the circumstances of the killing and the issue of the carrying of knives by young people.

The case surrounded the stabbing of 14-year-old Tomasz in a confrontation on a public path running through Whitehills Nature Park, in Gateshead, on the evening of Monday October 3, last year.

Tomasz had only just arrived at the scene shortly before the confrontation, having been to a gym.

He was seen handing over his bag to another member of the group as they approached the defendant, who was walking a girl home through the park.

The court heard that it was a scene of almost complete darkness on the unlit path, known as The Lines.

Tomasz was said to have asked the defendant what he had said as he got closer to him.

It was then that the defendant was said to have turned and lashed out with the knife, inflicting the fatal stab wound on Tomasz and nicking the coat of his friend, standing alongside.

As the victims turned to run from the scene, Tomasz stumbled to the ground bleeding from the wound.

Read more: Tomasz Oleszak: Boy went out 'hoping' to stab someone

The court heard that the defendant was said to have told other members of Tomasz’s group: “Your boys been wetted (slang for stabbed).”

Others among his group ran to raise the alert at a nearby home and efforts were made by a woman to try to stem the flow of blood.

Emergency services arrived at the scene and Tomasz was treated in situ and then taken to hospital, where his death was confirmed the following day.

He suffered an 8cm wound above the heart, with the knife having entered his aorta.

His friend escaped injury by jumping backwards to avoid the second blow wielded by the defendant, with the knife tearing his coat in the heart area.

The defendant was said to have left the park and, with the help of a friend, hid the knife on waste ground, intending to return to dispose of it at a later date.

He was picked up by his aunt and mother and taken home, where he was later arrested by police.

Giving evidence the defendant told the court it was a last-minute decision to take the knife with him when he left home that evening, placing it in the chest pocket of his body warmer.

He said he took it for “reassurance” but claimed he had not intended using it and it was only when he was approached by members of the other group that he took it out, waving it around. to try to scare them off.

Read next: 

* Accused teenager in Gateshead murder trial says he was being followed

* Tomasz Oleszak: Gateshead murder accused 'did not stab him on purpose'

* Youth denies alleged killer of Tomasz Oleszak was followed into park

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The trial heard there was some antagonism towards the defendant as he was with a girl who had previously gone out with one of their number.

Following the verdicts, the judge described it as, “a tragic and appalling crime.”

He remanded the defendant to remain in the custody until the sentencing hearing, in June, at which he will hear the victim impact statement of Tomasz’s family.