A teenager has been jailed after a fatal stabbing in Dartford High Street

Chris Enaruba has been jailed for 11 years for manslaughter after stabbing Denzel Njem.

The incident took place during riots in the city center on the evening of April 14, 2023.

Enaruba, accompanied by an associate, traveled to Dartford to meet the victim.

This led to an altercation in the High Street where Enaruba lunged at Njemo with a knife, injuring his leg.

Enaruba stabbed the victim again, this time fatally in the chest, and Njema died on the spot.

Police said Enaruba had “slight hesitation in using what turned out to be a deadly weapon.”

He dropped his jacket and weapon near an electrical substation and then sought treatment for injuries sustained during the incident at Darent Valley Hospital.

An investigation by Kent and Essex Serious Crime Squad led to the discovery of both the discarded jacket and the knife.

On April 15, Enaruba and his accomplice were arrested in Gillingham.

Enaruba, of Copper Mid Close, Cricklewood, was originally charged with murder.

However, during his trial at Maidstone Crown Court, a jury found him not guilty of murder, but found him guilty of manslaughter.

A 19-year-old boy who accompanied Enaruba to Dartford was found not guilty of assisting an offender.

The sentence was handed down at Maidstone Crown Court on Monday, January 29, 2024.

Considering Enaruba “dangerous”, the judge sentenced him to 11 years in prison.

The judge specified that Enaruba must serve two-thirds of his sentence before becoming eligible for parole.

After release, Enaruba will be subject to a four-year license period.

Senior investigating officer, Detective Inspector Ross Gurden, said: “Enaruba arrived in Dartford armed with a knife and had no hesitation in using what turned out to be a deadly weapon.

“Ultimately, Enaruba's actions ended a young life and devastated an entire family. This senseless act left the family in mourning and forced to come to terms with the senseless loss of a much-loved son and brother.

“Today's sentence will hopefully at least give some comfort to Mr Njem's parents and his family in the sense that they feel some justice has been done.”