A third teenager has been convicted of the “vicious” murder of a 21-year-old man following a dispute over a stolen bicycle in 2024.
Jackson Uwagboe, 19, was found guilty of repeatedly stabbing Robert Robinson with a machete during an attack on a residential street in Deptford, London, on June 6 that year.
Uwagboe, along with Ryan Wedderburn, 18, and Kirk Harris, 19, all from Lewisham, carried out what prosecutors described as a “brutal and sustained” assault, striking Mr Robinson at least 12 times.
The victim, who was unarmed, tried to fend off his attackers but died from his injuries at the scene in Carteret Way.
Earlier that day, Uwagboe had robbed a 17-year-old boy of his bicycle and mobile phone on Deptford High Street. Mr Robinson later joined a group that went to Wedderburn’s address in Windlass Place in an effort to trace the stolen items.
When no one answered the door, the group left. It was alleged that two vehicles belonging to Wedderburn’s family were damaged during the visit. Police said tensions had been simmering between the two groups for nearly two years following a breakdown in their friendship.
Shortly afterwards, Uwagboe emerged from the property with Wedderburn and Harris, all carrying machetes.
They made their way to Carteret Way, where they were seen by Mr Robinson, one of his friends and the friend’s mother.
The trio gave chase as the group attempted to flee.
The mother was on the phone to emergency services at the time, reporting the earlier robbery. Mr Robinson was caught and attacked in the street.
The assailants ran off, leaving him fatally wounded.
Two days later, Uwagboe boarded a flight to Lagos, Nigeria, using a ticket bought by his friend Eromosele Omoluogbe.
The 24-year-old spent £1,129.89 on the last-minute booking and accompanied Uwagboe to Heathrow Airport with his brother.
Uwagboe was arrested on suspicion of murder at Gatwick Airport on February 25, 2025, after returning to the UK. Detectives from the Metropolitan Police examined phone data, bank records and extensive CCTV footage as part of their investigation.
Forensic testing linked a knife recovered after the killing to Harris, who was convicted of murder last year. Another blade, discovered months later in the River Thames, was connected to Wedderburn through CCTV evidence. Both men are serving life sentences.
Uwagboe, of Hamilton Street, Deptford, was convicted of murder at the Old Bailey on February 10. He was also found guilty of robbery and possession of a bladed article. Omoluogbe, of Tanners Hill, New Cross, was convicted of perverting the course of justice for helping Uwagboe flee.
Detective Inspector Neil Tovey, from the Met’s Specialist Crime Command, said the verdict brought justice to the victim’s family.
He said: “Robert was subjected to a brutal and sustained attack by a group of men armed with knives. He was unarmed, already wounded, and on the ground when Uwagboe attacked him. His claims of self-defence were entirely without foundation.
“I again want to pay tribute to the Robinson family, who have shown immense dignity throughout this process. Through two trials they were forced to endure hearing those responsible attempt to excuse the inexcusable, and Uwagboe’s decision to flee the country significantly prolonged their search for justice and meant they were put through the pain through two trials.
“The conviction of Omoluogbe for perverting the course of justice reflects the seriousness of assisting a murderer to evade arrest. Anyone who chooses to help violent offenders avoid accountability is complicit in the harm caused and can expect to face the full force of the law.
“This outcome is the result of the relentless work of my officers and analyst, who reviewed hundreds of hours of CCTV footage, phone data and spoke to dozens of witnesses to build a compelling case. While homicide levels in London are falling, knife crime remains a profound concern for us and our communities. This investigation demonstrates our absolute determination to pursue offenders wherever they go and to hold them accountable for their actions.”
Uwagboe and Omoluogbe are due to be sentenced at the Old Bailey on a date yet to be confirmed.
