A drug dealer who boasted 'I run this town' before stabbing a man to death and fleeing to Stoke-on-Trent has been jailed for at least 23 years.
Florent Okende is today starting a life sentence after being found guilty of the callous murder of Che Morrison outside Ilford Station.
The 20-year-old knifed Che, also aged 20, in the heart causing a 17cm wound after a row began over a bag of cannabis.
Immediately after the incident, unaware that Che had died of his injuries, Okende returned to a hotel he was staying at nearby and had a shower before disposing of the clothes he had been wearing during the fight.
He then travelled to Stoke-on-Trent because he claimed he didn't feel safe in the capital.
But he returned two days later because he wanted to celebrate his birthday in London.
CCTV images of the incident, captured directly in front of the cash point outside the main entrance to Ilford Station, showed Okende punching Che in the face before pulling out a knife and stabbing him on February 26 this year.
Okende claimed during the trial at the Old Bailey that he had feared for his life and believed Che was reaching for a knife during the fight.
However, CCTV shown to the jury did not back up his account.
He was arrested on March 2 and charged the following day.
The court heard that Okende, of Eastern Avenue, Gants Hill, had a long list of previous convictions dating back to 2013, when he was just 14.
These included: robbery; theft; possession of cannabis, MDMA and cocaine; common assault; threats with a bladed weapon; assaulting a police constable; battery; criminal damage and affray.
Okende had previously pleaded guilty to possession of an offensive weapon and two counts of cannabis possession. For these offences he received concurrent sentences of 12 months and eight months respectively.
In a statement, Ché’s mother, Novina Morrison, said: “On February 26 2019, I lost a part of me. Ché was my only son and the baby of my family.
“The past few months have been hard. I have to live with the daily reminder that my son was callously and senselessly murdered, as he waited by Ilford station to meet his friends.
“On July 17 – his 21st birthday – a day that should have been memorable, was spent standing by my son’s grave asking 'what if' and 'why him'.
“Ché is still alive in our hearts, and what I am sure of is that his finger prints can’t be wiped away, for his little marks of kindness that he has left behind cannot be erased.”
Detective Chief Inspector Mark Cranwell said: “Without any warning, Okende punched Ché in the head, and three seconds later leaned forward and stabbed him in the chest. Ché’s injury proved fatal, despite paramedics from London Ambulance Service swiftly coming to his aid.
“The bravery of Ché’s family has been extraordinary throughout this harrowing time, and they will forever have to live with this terrible loss.
“Okende showed no remorse for murdering Ché, and is a determined offender, with no regard for the law, or respect for life.
“I hope today’s sentencing gives Ché’s family a small, but meaningful measure of comfort.”
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