A 19-year-old man, Archie Beston, tragically died after being stabbed during a violent incident in Kingston-upon-Thames in the early hours of Saturday 29 February.
Archie was out with friends around 3.40am when he witnessed a van being deliberately driven at another 19-year-old, referred to as Victim 2. The driver of the van, 20-year-old Finlay Ahwan, and the passenger, Tyron Bryan, also 20, were involved in the chaotic attack.
Following the incident, Tyron Bryan stabbed Archie, fatally wounding him. Bryan also stabbed Victim 2, who required hospital treatment but survived the attack.
Tyron Bryan of Ely Court, Kingston, was found guilty of manslaughter, grievous bodily harm, and possession of an offensive weapon. Finlay Ahwan of Worcester Park Road, Worcester Park, was convicted of attempted grievous bodily harm and dangerous driving. Both men have prior convictions, including for knife possession.
Police and members of the public attempted to save Archie’s life on Clarence Street before paramedics arrived. He was taken to hospital but sadly died six days later.
Detective Chief Inspector Helen Rance led the investigation and condemned Bryan and Ahwan as “pathetic and cowardly” for attacking unarmed teenagers.
“Archie was only 19 years old. He lived in Barnes, worked in Kew, and was loved by all his family, especially his mum, Becky,” said DCI Rance. “Bryan’s decision to carry a knife has left Archie’s family grieving and Bryan facing a long prison sentence when sentenced on 29 October.”
Archie’s family described him as “sweet natured and popular” who had “no enemies” and dreamed of travelling and working in Ibiza this summer.
“Archie was our whole world. He was so innocent and tragically appears to have been in the wrong place at the wrong time,” they said.
The brutal stabbing outside a Kingston nightclub has shocked the local community and once again raised concerns about knife crime.
Originally published by UKNIP.
