Youths face jail over litter row killing

Two teenagers were facing jail terms today after they admitted killing a promising graduate in a row over litter.

Evren Anil, 23, died from serious head injuries after being threatened with a knife and punched to the ground.

The argument started after one of the youths threw a chocolate bar wrapper through his car window in Crystal Palace, south east London, in August last year.

A 16-year-old youth from Thornton Heath, south east London, yesterday pleaded guilty to manslaughter and knife possession as his trial was due to begin at the Old Bailey.

His plea could only be reported today after his 17-year-old co-defendant, from Tottenham, north London, also admitted the two charges today.

Judge Ann Goddard told the pair, who cannot be named because of their ages: "It seems to me custody is the appropriate outcome."

Sentencing will take place at a later date after the judge hears legal argument about the precise version of events, which is disputed.

The 17-year-old admits throwing a chocolate bar wrapper through the window of Mr Anil's car, the court heard.

Jo Korner QC, prosecuting, said: "Having done so the defendant was confronted by the deceased and a verbal dispute ensued.

"There was some physical contact between the two involving the deceased grabbing the defendant's T-shirt. This resulted in the defendant punching the deceased."

She said the 17-year-old also admitted taking out a knife to frighten Mr Anil but claimed he did not intend to use it, then passed it to the other teenager.

Miss Korner said the 16-year-old's version of events, that "at no stage did he threaten Mr Anil with a knife" and only used the weapon to threaten another man, was not accepted.

Further details of what the younger boy admitted were not read out in court.