A 19-year-old man has been convicted of murder after he repeatedly stabbed a man in a busy car park following a feud over a designer coat.
Jacob Zuco, 19, was found guilty of murder on Wednesday, following the fatal stabbing of 20-year-old Leon Penman in May 2024.
On 24 May, Leon was shopping with his partner in Riverfield Drive, Bedford, when he recognised Zuco as the man who had previously attacked him during an altercation in March and decided to approach him.
Upon the realisation that Zuco had a knife, Leon backed off and got in his car to re-approach him.
Zuco then went up to the car and leaned in through the window before stabbing Leon several times. He attempted to make off from the scene. However, members of the public detained him until officers arrived.
Nearby off-duty paramedics witnessed the altercation and carried out CPR on Leon. However, he was pronounced dead at the scene shortly afterwards.
The fatal attack followed an incident in March 2024 in which Leon presented to a hospital with serious stab wounds, which were believed to have been sustained during a feud in relation to the resale of a designer coat.
Zuco, of Kimble Drive, Bedford, was convicted of murder and section 18 grievous bodily harm in relation to the first incident.
He was found not guilty of racially aggravated harassment for his behaviour prior to the attack. He had already admitted possession of a blade.
Detective Sergeant Simon Oldfield, from the Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Hertfordshire Major Crime Unit, said, “Once again we see the tragic consequences of people possessing and carrying knives. First and foremost, our sympathies and condolences go to the family and friends of Leon Penman. This was a horrific and violent attack leading to a futile loss of life and pain and sadness for all who knew him.
“But it has also ruined the life of the perpetrator, who will now, rightly, spend many years behind bars.
“We know there can be a number of reasons why a young person may carry a knife, but none of them are worth this. We would encourage people to reach out for help and support to stop another tragedy like this from happening.”
