A TEENAGER has been convicted of murdering his old school friend in a split second attack outside a birthday party.

The 17-year-old, who cannot be named for legal reasons, has today (January 20) been found guilty of murdering Munashe Charles Kutyauripo, better known as Charlie, outside Ashton Playing Fields in Chigwell Road, Woodford Green in January last year.

The teenager fatally stabbed Mr Kutyauripo, 16, at around 9.40pm on January 9 after turning up to the sixteenth birthday party at the social club with four other boys.

The two teens were believed to be good friends at King Solomon High School in Barkingside but fell out in late 2015.

Witnesses claim the pair were seen outside the party having some kind of argument.

CCTV footage shown to the jury at the Old Bailey showed the two teenagers walking back towards the club, with Mr Kutyauripo behind the defendant.

The images then show the 17-year-old spin around and lunge towards his victim, stabbing him in the heart and the shoulder with a kitchen knife.

Mr Kutyauripo tried to stagger back to the party as he was chased by his attacker, who was still brandishing a knife.

When the 16-year-old finally collapsed, the defendant ran off through Woodford Green to a friend’s house 10 minutes away from Ashton Playing Fields.

Other teenagers at the party tried to help Mr Kutyauripo and police officers tried to resuscitate him before paramedics arrived.

He was rushed to Whipps Cross Hospital in Leytonstone, but died there an hour later.

His murderer stayed the night at his friend’s house in Woodford Green before going on the run.

Police carried out a manhunt to find him, offering a £10,000 award to anyone who could help trace him.

The 17-year-old was finally arrested by Kent Police in Margate three weeks later.

He was charged with murdering Mr Kutyauripo on February 2.

DI Jamie Stevenson from the Met Police’s Homicide and Major Crime Command said: “In two seconds that night, a night that should have been full of celebration, Charlie's life and future were taken from him and his family.

"They have been devastated by his murder, and have showed tremendous courage throughout this investigation and the prosecution case.

“The defendant chose to go to the party that night and he chose to go armed with a large kitchen knife.

“That shows he was looking for, or expecting trouble, and if and when that trouble came he would use his knife.”

He added: "At 17 years old he is now a convicted murderer, who has shown no remorse for taking Charlie's life.

"He immediately went on the run to try and evade the police and still to date has not admitted murdering Charlie or explained why. In fact he has tried to blame Charlie, claiming he acted in self-defence.

“I hope that today's verdict can bring some answers to Charlie's family."

Mr Kutyauripo’s murderer will be sentenced next Wednesday (January 25).

The four others who were arrested on suspicion of the murder were released with no further action.