Teenager Shawn Green jailed for murdering schoolboy Derek Boateng

Convicted: Shawn Green. Photograph: Metropolitan Police

A teenager who fatally stabbed an aspiring engineer on the 393 bus has been jailed.

Shawn Green, 16, from Havering, was found guilty at the Old Bailey of murdering Derek Boateng, also 16, of Graham Road, Hackney Central.

Green, who denied murder, plunged a blade into the schoolboy’s chest minutes after being involved in an “exchange of words” at around 3pm on 23 April as the bus travelled through Highbury, the court heard.

Earlier this year Derek’s father Davis Boateng said his son, who had just turned 16 and was travelling home on the bus to celebrate his birthday, was a talented artist interested in pursuing a career in engineering.

Stabbed to death: Derek Boateng

Green, who was 15 at the time of the murder, was arrested on 23 April 2013 and subsequently charged with Derek’s murder.

Detective Chief Inspector Chris Jones of the Metropolitan Police’s Homicide and Major Crime Command said: “This was an appalling attack on a crowded bus as it stopped for school pupils outside Highbury Grove School. It is dreadful to think that Derek, who was celebrating his 16th birthday, lost his life over nothing more than a brief clash with another teenager.

“This dreadful tragedy has left a family grieving for a much-loved son, brother and friend who had everything to live for. The incident has also wrecked another teenager’s life and Shawn Green will now spend many years behind bars. It demonstrates the devastating consequences of carrying knives and the serious harm it has on our communities.”

Green was sentenced to serve at least 12 years in prison.