'Lifetime Detention' for Murderer of Acton Teenager

Elijah Gokool-Mely pushed Victor Lee into Grand Union Canal

Gookol-Mely gloated about killing Victor in his rap lyrics. Picture: Met Police

July 25, 2024

An eighteen-year-old man, who was found guilty of the murder of a teenager from North Acton, has been detained for life after a trial at the Old Bailey. Elijah Gokool-Mely of Australia Road, W12 will serve a minimum of twenty years.

17-year-old Victor Lee was stabbed three times after meeting up with Gokool-Mely on the afternoon of 23 June late year. He was then pushed into the Grand Union Canal by the bridge on Scrubs Lane.

The meeting had been arranged after Victor had arranged to sell weapons Gokool-Mely. Victor had changed the details on his passport to purchase the items online. Earlier in the day he had sold a crossbow to Gokool-Mely but then was asked to return with knives he had also purchased. His killer didn’t have cash to pay for them, so he stole Victor’s bike and his rucksack containing the knives before the stabbing.

Two houseboat residents who observed the confrontation rushed to retrieve Victor from the water, but he had bled to death by the time they had got to him on the towpath.

Gokool-Mely had a previous conviction for carrying a machete and was on police bail at the time of the killing.

The Met’s homicide investigation, led by Specialist Crime Command detectives arrested Gookol-Mely along with two other teenagers a week after Victor’s death. Officers charged each of them with murder and robbery.

Murder victim Victor Lee. Picture: Met Police

Victor was described as shy and introspective during the trial and the police gave evidence that they did not believe he understood the risks of dealing in weapons.

His mother Kristina said, "My son Victor remains alive in my heart and in the hearts of those who loved him."

Det Ch Insp Brian Howie, of Scotland Yard, said, "Victor was a young man who was not directly involved with gangs or criminality - he had an interest in buying, fixing and selling bikes.

"He had energy and drive but sadly not enough wisdom. His family have told me that he had an inability to properly assess situations, people or threats.

"When Victor crossed paths with the defendant, he [was taken] advantage of... and ultimately subjected to a sudden, unprovoked and shockingly violent assault."

Gookol-Mely’s showed no remorse for the killing in rap lyrics he wrote in a notebook recovered while he was on remand but during the trial he said he regretted killing Victor and wished he could turn the clock back.

Two other teenagers, aged 14 and 15 at the time of the attack, were found not guilty of murder and robbery.