THREE teenagers have been convicted of killing schoolboy Nicholas Pearton.

The 16-year-old was stabbed to death on May 5 last year after being chased through Home Park Recreation Ground in Sydenham.

Jurors were told the killing may have been sparked by a rivalry between two gangs, Shanks and Guns, or SG, and the Black Mafia, also known as the Sydenham Boys.

The Old Bailey heard some of the teenagers, who cannot be named for legal reasons, were still wearing their school blazers and ties as they chased Nicholas with knives and sticks.

Two 17-year-old boys and an 18-year-old boy were found not guilty of murder but guilty of manslaughter today (June 16).

A fourth defendant, aged 22, was found guilty of perverting the course of justice.

The trial comes after two 17-year-olds and a 16-year-old were convicted of murder and a 16-year-old convicted of manslaughter on March 10 this year.

A 14-year-old boy and a 16-year-old boy were both cleared of murder and manslaughter in the same trial.

Separate trials for the defendants were ordered for case management purposes.

A date for sentencing has not been set.

A hearing for all convicted defendants will take place next Friday (June 24).