It's enough bloodshed on Bristol's streets... How dare you think you can take the life of someone’s child?

Loved ones of Eddie Kinuthia, 19, spoke out his killer was given two life sentences and said more should be done to stop the knife culture in Bristol. Eddie was murdered in Grosvenor Park, St Paul's, Bristol, in July 2023 by Zacharia Talbert Young, 27, formerly of the Easton area of the city.

He was found guilty by a jury and sentenced to life with a minimum term set of 22 years and 136 days. Talbert Young and Paul Hayden, 22, were also convicted of attempted murder in relation to a separate attack on a second man Nathan Williams, 19, in February 2024.

Eddie's murder was described as 'savage' by The Honourable Mr Justice Pepperall during the Bristol crown court sentencing, which took place on 25 November. Speaking outside the court, Eddie's mother Irene Muthemba said: “It’s enough bloodshed on the streets of Bristol.

"And we, as adults, we have a responsibility to do everything in our power to show these young children carrying knives that it costs so much. Nothing is worth a life.”

CCTV cameras had captured two men riding on an e-bike entering the park from Ashley Road, shortly before 11pm. Eddie approached the pair and was fatally stabbed by the passenger on the bike. The duo then rode out of the park the same way they had come from.

The jury were told Eddie sustained multiple catastrophic injuries. During sentencing, Mr Justice Pepperall said the fatal injury to Eddie was “virtually unsurvivable” and that he was stabbed multiple times “mercilessly and with significant force”.

The court heard that while Nathan has recovered well physically, he remains “anxious, stressed and in survival mode all of the time”. In her statement, Nathan's sister said: “The one thing that I will take away from this is that we are responsible for these children.

"I call them children because they are so clearly young. They take action with no thought of the consequences, no foresight of what they do to their own family, those of their victims and their community.

“You are not above the law and I hope you feel the full force of it for the rest of your lives. How dare you think you can take the life of someone’s child. How dare you think that you have the power to live in our community and kill our children. You are so lost.”

The Hon Mr Justice Pepperall passed sentence after hearing mitigation for the defence around the attackers' lack of maturity and the impact on their families. He stressed that both men will serve “every single day” of the minimum term he imposed, adding that even after serving that time they will only be released from prison when the Parole Board decides it’s no longer necessary for public protection.

Zachariah Talbert Young was also handed a second life sentence with a minimum term of 20 years for the attempted murder of Nathan. Both will run concurrently. Paul Elijah Hayden was also jailed for life for the attempted murder and will serve a minimum term of 17 years and 136 days.

Speaking outside court, Irene Muthemba also thanked all those involved in bringing the case to court and said she was happy “justice has been done”. Detective Chief Inspector Mark Almond, who led the investigative team, said: “I want to pay tribute to the patience and dignity shown by both families throughout this lengthy and harrowing process.

"Their strength has been remarkable, and our thoughts remain firmly with Irene and her family for their devastating loss and Nathan as he continues to recover from his injuries. I also wish to pay tribute to the support shown to the inquiry by local residents within the St Paul’s community.

"This support has been invaluable and shows that incidents such as these will not be tolerated. These convictions mean that two dangerous men will now remain behind bars, and our streets are safer as a result. Knife crime destroys lives.

"It devastates families, fuels fear, and tears at the fabric of our communities. Avon and Somerset Police will continue to work tirelessly with partners to tackle this issue, prevent further tragedies, and keep people safe.”