Alan Cartwright trial: Joshua Williams, 18, guilty of murder
Alan Cartwright - Credit: Archant
The family of schoolboy Alan Cartwright said “nobody should have to die for knife crime” after their son’s killer was convicted today.
Joshua Williams, 18, of Davenant Road, Upper Holloway, was found guilty of murder by a jury at the Old Bailey.
Alan, 15, was stabbed by Williams in Caledonian Road as he cycled with three friends on the evening of Friday, February 27.
During a trial, which started last Tuesday, jurors heard that Williams, alongside Shaquille Roberts, 19, of no fixed address, and a 17-year-old boy, had planned to steal their bikes.
It was then when Williams carried out the attack on Alan. The court also heard he was seen laughing as he left the scene. Roberts and the other boy had pleaded guilty to robbery for stealing bikes from two of Alan’s friends.
Williams will be sentenced tomorrow.
Speaking outside the court after today’s verdict, Alan’s sister Cherrie, 22, said: ‘We have got the verdicts we wanted.
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“It is indescribable. The build-up to knowing whether we are going to get that guilty or not guilty verdict is terrifying.
“We are happy with the verdicts and we will just see what tomorrow brings. It will never be enough, but we have got what we wanted so far.”
Alan’s mother, Michelle Watson, 40, said: “Al is going to be remembered forever. Everybody knew there was something about Al.
His father, also called Alan, 40, warned: “Anybody who wants to carry a knife should think before you do it, because you will be the next one before this court. Nobody should have to die for knife crime.”
