Two men jailed after hit and run crash which killed 16-year-old boy in Sevenoaks Way, Orpington

Two men who deliberately hit a teenage boy with a stolen car and knocked him into the path of an oncoming vehicle which ran him over have been jailed. Tafari Thompson-Mintah, 16, was on his moped in Sevenoaks Way, Orpington on October 9 last year when he was struck by a red Mercedes car and veered into the path of an orange Vauxhall Mokka.

Tafari Thompson-Mintah, 16, was deliberately killed in the crash in October last year. Picture: Met Police

Despite the emergency services providing urgent medical treatment, Tafari sustained profound head injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene[1]. An investigation was launched by the Met Police and the Grove Park youngster's killers have now been brought to justice and handed lengthy prison sentences.

Aaron Conway, 39, of Villas Road, Plumstead and Joseph Barnes, 41, of Byfleet, Surrey appeared at Woolwich Crown Court on Friday (December 6). The court heard that Tafari had been in a relationship with Conway's daughter which had broken down, leading to a series of disputes. Conway had been determined to threaten and intimidate Tafari, and, on the afternoon of his death, he and Barnes stole the Mercedes with the latter driving and Conway in the passenger seat.

Aaron Conway and Joseph Barnes have been jailed over the killing of 16-year-old Tafari Thompson-Mintah. Photo: Met Police

They then chased Tafari at high speed before swerving towards him and deliberately knocking him off his scooter.

He was then thrown into the path of an oncoming orange Vauxhall Mokka.

The two suspects then fled the scene before abandoning the Mercedes shortly afterwards. Barnes, who had been convicted of murder following a trial earlier this year, was sentenced to life imprisonment on Friday and will serve a minimum of 25 years. Conway, who had previously been convicted of manslaughter, was sentenced to 16 years' imprisonment.

The crash happened in Sevenoaks Way, Orpington. Picture: Mari Yana

A third man who had been charged in relation to the same incident was found not guilty following a trial.

Following their sentencing DCI Martin Thorpe, who led the investigation, said: "Conway encouraged Barnes to drive recklessly and in doing so both played a part in the cruel and senseless ending of a young boy's life.

"This has been an incredibly distressing time for Tafari's family.

"Nothing will erase the pain of their loss, but I hope that today's lengthy prison sentence will give them some small sense of closure."

References

1. ^ pronounced dead at the scene (www.kentonline.co.uk)