Man jailed for murder 16 years after attacking teen

A man has been jailed for murder after his victim died 16 years after the original attack.

Jordan Burton, now aged 33, was 14 when he caused a serious head injury to Daniel Allright, then 16, in Lewisham, south-east London.

Allright suffered an epileptic seizure six months after the attack in 2006, and the condition persisted and then worsened before his death.

Det Sgt Chris Taylor described the attack as "abhorrent" and said Allright was left with "debilitating brain conditions".

The court had heard how Allright was hit over the head with a piece of wood and a bicycle chain by a group of youths during the attack.

Afterwards, he told police he had been on his bike with two friends after leaving his home in Oscar Street when a group of males tried to rob them in Friendly Gardens.

Burton and two others ran off when someone came out of a shop and told them to leave the victim alone.

In 2007 Burton admitted violent disorder and causing grievous bodily harm to Allright. He was given a two year youth rehabilitation order.

Allright died in March 2022, having had a fatal seizure in the bathroom. His mother discovered his body.

A post-mortem examination found post-traumatic epilepsy was the cause of death.

Burton was re-arrested and charged with murder, which he denied on the basis that he did not intend to cause serious harm.

However, detectives and the prosecution argued during the trial that if someone causes grievous bodily harm, and the victim dies, then they are guilty of murder.

Detectives said the investigation had been "challenging" because of the amount of time since Allright died, but they were "determined to secure justice" for his family.

"No mother should have to find their son dead because of the reckless and unnecessary actions of another. I hope they have now found a small measure of comfort knowing Burton is now behind bars."

Burton must servce a minimum of 10 years in jail.

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