[Sod_James]

A 19-year-old man has been found guilty of the murder of teenager Jimmy Mizen at a bakery in south-east London.

Jimmy, 16, bled to death when the vessels in his neck were severed as he was hit by a glass dish in the bakery in Lee in May 2008.



Jake Fahri, 19, from Lee, claimed he acted in self defence when a fight broke out. He was sentenced to life in prison to serve at least 14 years.

Outside court, Jimmy's father said: "We have become a country of anger."

'Pleasure to parent'

Jimmy's family, who were praised by the judge for their dignity throughout the trial, applauded at the Old Bailey as the verdict was delivered.

Outside court, Barry Mizen, 57, along with his wife and youngest son George, said: "I want to thank God for Jimmy, thank God for his life.

"It was a pleasure and a privilege to have been his parents.

"This country stands apart from other countries. This is a country of civility and a country of fair play, fairness, and a country of safety. We are rapidly losing that.

"We have become a country of anger, of selfishness and of fear. It doesn't have to be like this. Let's together try and stop it," he said.

His wife, Margaret Mizen, thanked their fellow parishioners for their prayers and helping their large family with the daily meals and household needs throughout the trial.

In victim impact statements, his parents described their son as "easy going" and always willing to help neighbours with small chores, give up his seat on a busy bus or run an errand for his mother - such as the one he was on when he was killed.

Fahri called out to his mother as he was led from the court: "I will be all right, mum, I'll be all right."

Mr Justice Calvert-Smith told him: "A trivial incident over absolutely nothing in a High Street bakery ended three minutes later with the death of a blameless young man."

The court heard that Jimmy, who was known among his family as a "gentle giant", and Fahri had been rowing in the bakery when Fahri grabbed an advertising sign that was lying nearby, prompting a "tug-of-war" battle.

In an attempt to get Jimmy to let go, Fahri picked up a nearby oven-proof glass dish and flung it at his victim. The dish shattered, and a piece lodged in Jimmy's neck, cutting an artery and his jugular vein.

The scene of Jimmy's death was described in court as "horrific".

With blood pouring from his neck, Jimmy staggered into a back room where, 15 seconds later, his older brother Tommy, 27, found him.

Jimmy collapsed and died in Tommy's arms. Their mother, Margaret, arrived and fainted before coming to and asking for a priest.

The court heard that Fahri swaggered from the bakery after the killing and witnesses described a triumphant grin on his face.

Judge Calvert-Smith said Fahri had the chance to walk away from the petty fight, but returned to the bakery, determined to cause Jimmy harm.

"You carried out your intention so successfully that you killed him, depriving a loving family of a son and brother."

Det Ch Insp Cliff Lyons, speaking outside the court, described Fahri as a "yob".

Speaking about Jimmy, he added: "I think we all would aspire to have a son like him. Jake Fahri is entirely different, he can only be described as a yob.

"He is extremely violent and the jury have returned a just verdict."



Jimmy Mizen was killed a day after he celebrated his 16th birthday.