'Shocking' Snapchat teen killer sent before plunging foot-long Ninja sword into victim

Jurors in the harrowing murder case of 16-year-old Rahaan Amin heard how his killer sent a horrifying Snapchat before the attack, which experts say offers an insight into his twisted psyche

A 17-year-old who brutally ended the life of another teen sent a sinister Snapchat before carrying out his horrific crime.

The youth in question, who has not been named due to legal reasons, was this week handed a life sentence, with a minimum term of 15 years, with Judge Alexia Durran reminding him that his minimum term was 'a little less than the time you have been alive'.

It comes after the teenager's conviction at the Old Bailey back in May, where the court heard how he'd plunged a foot-long red Ninja sword into the heart of 16-year-old Rahaan Amin, on July 9, 2023. The horror incident occurred in east London's West Ham Park, and although doctors worked to repair Rahaan's heart, he tragically died in hospital the next day.

Officers later found a disturbing Snapchat the defendant had sent before the killing, which highlighted the 'shocking' way in which he'd 'glorified' dangerous weapons.

During the May trial, the Mail Online reported that officers had recovered a Snapchat which showed nine knives lined up on the killer's bed. The Ninja sword, which he'd attempted to hide in a tree at the park where the slaying took place, was included in the collection. He had purchased the weapons through knife website DNA Leisure, using the name and passport of the father of a friend.

The defendant pleaded not guilty to murder, claiming he had been acting in self-defence, but was ultimately convicted following more than 18 hours of hours of deliberation by the jury. As he was led to the cells, he could be smirking as he turned towards weeping family members.

Following this week's sentencing, Det Ch Insp Kelly Allen, who led the investigation spoke with BBC News about the 'shocking' and 'extraordinary' display of weapons seen in the menacing Snapchat. She explained: "That posing of the knives, that showing everyone what weapons he had, was a key part to understanding him as a person. It really was shocking to see someone so young have so many weapons.

"Seeing it so posed and glorified is perhaps something we are seeing more of now. It's a status symbol, unfortunately." Shouting and swearing could reportedly be heard from the Old Bailey's public gallery, while Rahaan's family have expressed disappointment at a sentence they regard as too lenient. Rahaan's grieving sister Shanaya Ali responded, 'That's less time than my brother was alive'.

Speaking of the profound impact the loss of her brother has had on her life, Shanaya shared: "There are so many things we can't do now, like listen to the songs that he used to listen to, or even things that he used to joke around with, because it triggers us. I can't go past West Ham Park any more. I can't go into his room. It's too silent, it's too quiet."

Newly introduced legislation now makes it an offence to own or sell zombie knives and machetes, however, at the time of writing, Ninja and samurai swords don't fall under these laws. Last month, Home Secretary Yvette Cooper told the Labour Party Conference that she would outlaw these dangerous swords, with the introduction of the long-awaited Ronan's Law.

Named in tribute to her 16-year-old son Ronan, who was killed with the 20-inch weapon in a case of mistaken identity, bereaved mother Pooja Kanda has campaigned tirelessly for the introduction of Ronan's Law, which would see Ninja swords outlawed.

Speaking with the Mirror after Cooper's pledge, Pooja said: "Ronan's Law will save lives. It means the world to me. It means that this Government is listening, and this Government wants to make the change happen. They want these UK streets to be safe for everyone else. That means the world to me. Because if my son was under this Government, I believe my son would have been here today."

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