Jamal Jones and Ryan Beresford sent down for 15 years each

Four teenagers, including two from Acton, involved in the stabbing to death of Dean Mayley have been sentenced to jail at the Old Bailey today (2nd October).

24-year-old Dean, who had a mental age of 9, was stabbed to death this February on Ruislip Road, Greenford.

Jamal Jones, 17 of Newport Road, Acton, was sentenced to 15 years for murder. He wielded the knife that cause the fatal wound.

Michael Mensah, aged 18 from Greenford and Ryan Beresford, aged 19 from Winchester Street, Acton, were sentenced to 15 years for manslaughter to run concurrently with a 9 year sentence for attempted robbery. Mensah received an additional two years after being found guilty of robbing a 15-year-old boy in a separate incident.

Miguel Leiba, 17 of Framfield Road, Hanwell was sentenced to 14 years for manslaughter and eight years for attempted robbery to run concurrently.

Investigating officer Detective Inspector Mark Lawson, from the Homicide and Major Crime Command, said: "The defendants were a team of robbers who, armed with a knife, were scouring the area that day looking for someone to rob.

"They had not a moment's hesitation in using that knife when Dean didn't immediately hand over his property. The knife was plunged into his heart; there could be no doubt of the defendants' intentions."

On the afternoon of Friday, 7 February, Dean, who lived in Northolt, was walking home along Ruislip Road, Greenford, when his four killers spotted him. They were out in Mensah's Fiat Punto looking for likely victims to rob at knifepoint.

It is thought Dean, who suffered from microcephaly, caught their eye due to his distinctive North Face jacket and because he was alone. They pulled over and Jones, Leiba and Beresford got out, Jones armed with a knife. Dean had only just started to go out on his own, previously he had been accompanied by his father but he passed away in June 2013. He was just allowed to make the short trip from Northolt to his uncle's house in Greenford.

Jones approached Dean while the others went past him, blocking any chance of him escaping.

Jamal Jones of Acton convicted of murder

CCTV Footage of the Moments Leading Up to Dean's Death

(Warning: you may find this footage distressing)

It's thought that Dean's condition meant he didn't readily understand what was happening and he didn't hand over any of his property during the confrontation.

Jones then stabbed him, straight into his heart, before all three ran off back to the car.

Dean staggered into the street and collapsed. Passers-by went to help him and the emergency services attended the scene but despite their best efforts he died less than two hours later at St Mary's Hospital.

Mensah and Jones were arrested on Saturday, 15 February at their home addresses and Beresford and Leiba on Monday 17 February after detectives released CCTV images of them. Having seen the publicity, they handed themselves into Colindale police station.

Dean's mother Donna Mayley said , "The loss of our lovely Dean has ripped our family apart. It is so hard to comprehend that we will never see him again.

"As his Mum, I have not been able to grieve for my son or even talk about this horrific ordeal as my two eldest children, Sam and Laura, suffer from learning disabilities. I have been unable to tell them the truth about what happened to their little brother. My children become distressed when I begin to show my emotions.

"Sam was recently hospitalised as he had a psychotic breakdown and needed to be given stronger medication, he cannot understand how he has lost his father and little brother in the space of eight months."

"Laura has started to have violent outbursts, pulling her hair and is severely distressed as she misses her brother terribly. Sometimes she sits in his room for hours on end, wishing him home. Laura is being seen by a counselor but due to her learning disability, it is not having the desired effect on her. She knew Dean was fit and healthy and cannot take it in that he has gone. I have to lie to my children every day as they would not understand that someone could hurt another human being in this way. I feel I am living a nightmare every day of my life."

Michael Mensah and Miguel Leiba convicted of manslaughter

Ryan Beresford of Acton convicted of manslaughter

Donna added, "Our family will never be the same again, the youngest of our family has had his life cut short for no reason and we will all struggle to come to terms with this for the rest of our lives."

October 2, 2014