Two teenagers who stabbed a young footballer from south east London to death following a dispute have been jailed for 13 years each.

Mohamed Kolokoh, 18, of Court Road, Eltham, and a Lambeth 16-year-old, who cannot be named, will serve eight years in custody and five on licence for the manslaughter of 19-year-old Francois Kablan.

Francois, who lived in Rotherhithe, was fatally stabbed on Great Dover Street, Southwark, on May 13, 2020.

News Shopper: Francois Kablan

Jurors at Isleworth Crown Court heard how Francois and a friend became involved in an altercation with the two defendants, who were armed with knives, which quickly escalated.

Police were called to reports of men fighting in the street at 5.30pm, and soon followed by the ambulance services, including a helicopter.

Francois was pronounced dead at the scene. A post-mortem held two days later gave cause of death as a stab wound to the chest.

The two defendants were arrested near to the scene.

Francois played in the reserves for Harlow Town FC, who described him as a "wonderful person" whose energy and smile lit up the pitch.

His girlfriend, who was pregnant when he died, told the court she would "never forget him" in a statement.

DCI Kieran said: “My thoughts go out today to the family and friends of Francois, whose life was needlessly lost, far too soon.

"Whatever instigated this dispute between the two groups quickly led to a situation in which the two defendants – who were both armed with knives - were not prepared to back down.

"Rather they decided to engage, leading to the most tragic of outcomes. It is clear to me that their intention was to cause at least serious harm to Francois, proving them to be dangerous offenders who have no place on our streets.

"The result today reflects the seriousness of knife crime and the impact that this has on the victims, their families and their communities.

"I hope that today's verdict can offer them some of the closure that they deserve whilst removing two dangerous criminals from the streets of London.

“Tackling violent crime in communities across London is the Met’s top priority. We are working incredibly hard to take weapons off the street, engage and reassure the public, and keep our communities safe.”