West Drayton student jailed for 10 years for manslaughter

Harper Dennis, aged 19, from West Drayton, has been sentenced to 10 years imprisonment after a jury found him guilty of manslaughter. The conviction follows the stabbing of 20-year-old Khaleed Oladipo five times near De Montfort University in Leicester on February 3. A jury at Leicester Crown Court reached its verdict on Tuesday after a two-week trial, acquitting Dennis of murder but finding him guilty of manslaughter and possessing an offensive weapon.

Dispute over debt and watch

Prosecutor Jane Osborne KC told the court that Dennis killed Mr Oladipo, whom he had befriended through online gaming, over a perceived debt. Dennis stated he had given Mr Oladipo £6,000 of his savings to use for scams. When he did not get his money back, Mr Oladipo allegedly gave him a Rolex watch as compensation, which Dennis later discovered was fake. This discovery reportedly fuelled his bitterness. The incident occurred near De Montfort University's Innovation Centre on Oxford Street.

Judge Timothy Spencer KC remarked that Dennis had developed a "seething resentment" towards Mr Oladipo. The judge noted that Dennis brought a knife to the confrontation, using it five times in separate applications, which carried a high risk of serious harm. He described the financial dealings between the two as being related to scams. The judge also stated that Dennis had not assisted the investigation, particularly by refusing to provide his phone's PIN number, which could have provided crucial digital information.

Dennis claimed he acted in self-defence, stating that Mr Oladipo had approached him with a knife and that he feared for his life. He told the court he was unaware he had stabbed Mr Oladipo during the altercation and was shocked upon his arrest later that evening on suspicion of murder. He also mentioned a gambling addiction and had threatened to expose Mr Oladipo online as untrustworthy.

Impact on victim's family

In a victim impact statement read to the court, Mr Oladipo's sister, Precious Oladipo, described their mother's profound grief. She stated that her mother has become withdrawn and is "so unwell with grief" following the loss of her son, whom she described as her "light and joy". The family home, once filled with laughter, is now largely silent. Ms Oladipo highlighted that Mr Oladipo would not graduate or see his 21st birthday, and that every future milestone would be marked by his absence.

The court heard that Mr Oladipo was on the phone with his girlfriend at the time of the attack, and she heard him say, "Why did you come up to me and stab me?". After the stabbing, Dennis left the scene and gave a bag of clothes to his flatmate. He later made calls to Mr Oladipo's girlfriend on Christmas Day, describing her boyfriend as a "bad guy".

Defence and sentencing

Defending Dennis, Tim Forte KC described the incident as "fleeting, short, unpremeditated, but horrendously tragic". He highlighted Dennis's lack of previous convictions and suggested his age indicated a lack of maturity. The judge acknowledged an element of remorse but stated it had a "hollow ring" due to Dennis's lack of cooperation. He concluded that Dennis had matured to the realisation of the unnecessary loss of life, but his actions warranted a significant custodial sentence.

Detective Inspector Lorna Granville of the East Midlands Special Operations Unit Major Crime Team described the circumstances as shocking.