Man guilty of murdering teenager in Chatham basement attack

Summarised from 3 outlets · Updated 15 Oct, 14:29 · Archive

Musa Salih, 19, was found guilty of murdering Harley Purdue, also 19, after stabbing him eight times in a basement.

Musa Salih, 19, an Eritrean national of Launceston Road, Greenford, has been found guilty of murder by a jury at Maidstone Crown Court after stabbing Harley Purdue, also 19, eight times at a property on Thorold Road in Chatham at around 3am on December 2 last year.

Salih had lured Purdue to the building's communal basement with the intention of locking him in a toilet and stealing money from his bedroom. When Purdue resisted, Salih stabbed him eight times. Purdue's girlfriend intervened during the attack, and Salih attempted to injure her before fleeing the house and the Medway area.

Salih was arrested later the same day in Lewisham. A review of his phone revealed he had asked an AI app for legal advice and updates about the incident. Despite denying the charge, he was convicted on October 15.

Detective Sergeant Alastair Worton said Salih's plan to steal Purdue's money in the middle of the night whilst armed with a knife resulted in the death of a young man and left his family mourning. He praised the swift response to track Salih down in London and the comprehensive investigation that followed, saying it ensured the jury convicted him of murder.

Worton added: "Our thoughts remain with Harley's loved ones, whose strength and dignity throughout our investigation and the court proceedings has been commendable. I hope today's verdict brings them some sense that justice has been done."

Salih is due to be sentenced at Maidstone Crown Court on November 4.

How it is being reported

• West London man murdered teenager in unprovoked attack after trying to trap him in toiletA west London man murdered a teenager in an unprovoked knife attack after trying to trap him in a toiletMyLondon · 15 Oct, 13:59
• Killer arrested in Lewisham after teen stabbed eight times in basement attackA man has been found guilty of murder after luring a teenager into a basement toilet before stabbing him eight times.News Shopper · 15 Oct, 13:56
• Killer arrested in Lewisham after teen stabbed eight times in basement attackA man has been found guilty of murder after luring a teenager into a basement toilet before stabbing him eight times.This Is Local London · 15 Oct, 13:56

In this story: Musa Salih · Harley Purdue · Chatham · Lewisham · Maidstone Crown Court

This summary was written by AI from the headlines and standfirsts above, and states as fact only what at least two outlets report. How we use AI · Report a problem