A 17-year-old boy who was high on ecstasy when he killed Cheam teenager Michael O’Connor faces a life sentence after pleading guilty to his murder. The youth, who cannot be named for legal reasons, stabbed Mr O’Connor, 18, in the Broadway, Cheam, in the early hours of May 1.
He was taken to St Helier Hospital where he died from wounds to his chest and stomach.
The Old Bailey heard last Wednesday (October 20) how the youth had a grudge against Mr O’Connor after a previous incident in which he spat at the youth’s 13-year-old sister.
Henry Blaxland QC, appearing for the defence, said the youth “just flipped”, grabbed a knife from a friend’s pocket and lunged at Mr O’Connor after meeting him by chance at a bus stop.
Mr Blaxland said an ecstasy pill taken hours before the unprovoked attack was the obvious explanation.
“It is perfectly clear that it played quite an important part in what happened.
“He believes that something was said by the deceased but he does accept that it is possible he is wrong about that and simply misinterpreted what was happening.
“He says he disliked taking ecstasy in the past because it made him hyperactive and violent.”
Floral tributes were laid at the spot close to Whitehall, Cheam’s historic landmark, where Mr O’Connor collapsed in the street after the attack.
The former Wimbledon College pupil, of Donnington Road, had been due to attend an interview at Carshalton College to train as a motor mechanic when he died.
The youth, who fled the scene after the attack, gave himself up to police the following morning and admitted stabbing Mr O’Connor.
He was remanded in custody after last week’s hearing for pre-sentence reports, but was warned by Judge Giles Forrester he faced a life sentence.
The youth is due to be sentenced at the Old Bailey on November 10.
10:05am today
By Nina Jacobs
