Knife attack could have been racially motivated

Updated 18.55 Mon Aug 18 2008

Keywords: Stabbing, Knife, Crime

Police say a knife attack which left a teenager dead may have been racially motivated.

Nilanthan Murddi, 17, was stabbed to death in Croydon, south London, in the early hours of Saturday morning.

An allegation had now been made that racist language was directed at the group in the early stages of the incident and this was now regarded as a possible motive for the teen's murder.

Police believe the man, who argued with the teen and his group of friends near a set of traffic lights, may have returned shortly afterwards to carry out the attack.

Scotland Yard said an allegation had now been made that racist language was directed at the group in the early stages of the incident, which took place at about 1am on Sumner Road, and this was now regarded as a possible motive for the teen's murder.

Police are searching for a white man, in his late 20s or early 30s, who witnesses said argued with the teenager before he died of a single knife wound to the neck.

They believe the man, who argued with the teen and his group of friends near a set of traffic lights, may have returned shortly afterwards to carry out the attack.

The man is described as 5ft 7ins tall, stocky, with a pale complexion and bags around his eyes. He had shaved or short-cropped hair and was wearing a dark waist-length jacket and jeans.

Police are also appealing for a taxi driver to come forward who, they believe, had the suspect in his cab 30 minutes before the murder.

They are looking for a blue Ford Mondeo or an older style VW Passat which had a TfL sticker in the back to show it was legally registered.

Detective Chief Inspector Tim Grattan-Kane, leading the investigation, said: "Given that the suspect returned approximately 30 minutes after the exchange of words at the traffic lights it is highly likely he lives locally.

"The taxi driver has not come forward yet and it is vitally important we hear from him.

"While appealing directly to the minicab driver, I am also asking for companies to check for any drivers who had fares to the area and who drive a blue car, in particular a Ford Mondeo or a VW Passat."

Detectives are also asking for people who were at nearby shops at the time to contact the incident room.

Nilanthan's death took the number of teenagers killed violently in London this year to 23.