Duo convicted after 'vile' stabbing of man with learning difficulties in south London after he refused to sell drugs

Two thugs have been convicted after stabbing of man with learning difficulties in a 'vile' attack after he refused to sell drugs or hand over cash.

The duo were convicted for their part in a violent assault that left a vulnerable man fighting for his life.

The victim, a 28-year-old man with learning difficulties, was stabbed in the stomach after he refused demands for money and to sell drugs.

Michael Nkrumah, 20, Thornton Heath, Croydon was found guilty of grievous bodily harm with intent on Wednesday, July 27 after a 19-day trial at Blackfriars Crown Court.

The victim's ex-girlfriend, Shaniqua Pettifor, 23, of Kennington Park Road, Southwark pleaded guilty to causing assault occasioning actual bodily harm on Monday, April 25 at Croydon Crown Court.

They will both be sentenced at Blackfriars Crown Court on September 2.

The court heard how the victim had been in a relationship with Pettifor for a number of weeks prior to the assault after they met when they started talking in the street.

On December 28, 2015, Pettifor attended the victim's flat in Camberwell, along with Nkrumah and three unknown males.

They demanded money from the victim and told him he would have to sell drugs for them.

The victim refused their demand and in response Pettifor produced a knife and stabbed him on the hand causing a cut to his thumb.

Nkrumah also produced a knife and, totally unprovoked, stabbed the victim in the stomach.

The suspects ran from the property, leaving the victim with a stab wound so severe it had perforated his bowel.

Despite his extensive wounds, the victim called his mother, who in turn called an ambulance, and he managed to make his way to his mother's home nearby.

The victim was taken to hospital with injuries so severe he needed a life-saving emergency operation.

An immediate investigation was undertaken by detectives from Southwark borough.

Nkrumah was arrested on December 31 2015 and charged on Friday, 1 January; Pettifor was arrested on December 30 2015 and subsequently charged on Monday, February 1.

The other three suspects have not yet been positively identified.