Man jailed for fatal stabbing outside Ilford station

Florent Okende punched Ché Morrison, before pulling out a knife and stabbing him

A drug dealer has been jailed for stabbing a man to death outside Ilford station.

Ché Morrison was killed in Cranbrook Road in February in a row over a bag of cannabis.

Florent Okende, 20, of Eastern Avenue, Gants Hill, was found guilty of murder at the Old Bailey yesterday.

This morning, he was jailed 23 years.

Ché’s mother, Novina Morrison, said: “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 the 17th of July, 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 fingerprints can’t be wiped away, for his little marks of kindness that he has left behind cannot be erased.”

Ché Morrison was stabbed in the heart

The attack happened at around 8.45pm on Tuesday, 26 February. 

Okende punched Ché, before pulling out a knife and stabbing him in the heart.

Paramedics rushed to the scene and fought to save Ché’s life but he was pronounced dead around 30 minutes later.

The moment that Ché was stabbed was caught on CCTV and Okende was identified as a suspect in the murder.

He was arrested on Saturday, 2 March and charged the following day.

As well as being found guilty of murder, Okende pleaded guilty to possession of an offensive weapon and two counts of cannabis possession.

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.”