A man has been convicted of fatally stabbing an “intelligent soul” in south London, who feared gang violence.

Jacob Koutouan, 22, was found guilty of murdering 20-year-old Jaden Christie in September 2020, following a trial at Croydon Crown Court.

Jaden was found on Stockwell Road on September 15 at around 2.50pm suffering stab injuries. He died at the scene, despite the efforts of paramedics.

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Police said Koutouan chased down Jaden, before stabbing him 12 times in a "vicious" attack. 

Neither the police investigation or trial was able to establish why Jaden was targeted.

Koutouan was remanded in custody to appear at the same court tomorrow (March 3) for sentencing.

Jaden’s family said: “Jaden was an amazing and intelligent soul and had so much life and passion to give.

"A victim to a senseless killer who viciously ended Jaden’s hopes and dreams in a brutal attack.

"His death has left our family shattered to pieces, distraught, grief-stricken and disheartened over such a malicious act.

“Jaden wasn’t in a gang, in fact he was very anti gangs and feared the associated violence that comes with it.

“Jaden was just starting out in life – he got a new job with Deliveroo only two days before his death and had been accepted onto a construction course on the day he died. Jaden had aspirations to own his own clothing line.

“Jaden loved his family and was the life and soul of every room he entered. Such a positive, vibrant life ended so young without getting to enjoy his future, flourish further and start a family of his own. He’ll be in our hearts eternally but nothing will compare to physically having him alive and here with us.”

A post-mortem examination at Greenwich mortuary on September 16 ve cause of death as stab wounds to the torso.

Temp/Detective Chief Inspector Chris Wood said: “This is a tragic case where another young man has lost his life to knife crime leaving a huge gap in the lives of his friends and family.

“It was very clear that Jaden was subject to a vicious attack where he was chased before being stabbed 12 times.

"Despite a thorough investigation, we have been unable to establish why this incident took place and why Jacob Koutouan chose to attack Jaden.

"In the face of all the evidence, Koutouan chose to compound the grief of those close to Jaden with false claims of self-defence at court, an account which was rejected by the jury.

“I would like to highlight the resilience shown by Jaden’s family throughout what must have been an exceptionally difficult court process. I hope the jury’s verdict will bring some comfort to them.”