A teenager who stabbed a man to death in a flat has been jailed for manslaughter.

The teenager, who is aged 17 and so cannot be named, was found guilty of the manslaughter of 42-year-old Joseph Cullimore at Southwark Crown Court yesterday (Thursday, May 2) and sentenced to six years imprisonment.

Police were called to reports of a stabbing at an address in Flaxen Road, Chingford, on Friday, August 17 at around 4.40am.

Officers found Mr Cullimore suffering from stab injuries. He was pronounced dead at the scene at 5.22am.

A post-mortem examination established his cause of death as a fatal stab wound to the torso.

Mr Cullimore was stabbed by the teenager at the address shortly after he knocked at his door.

The teenager was arrested at the scene and was charged the next day after admitting the brutal assault.

Read more:

Boy, 16, charged with murder after man, 42, stabbed to death

The teenager, who was 16 at the time, knew Mr Cullimore but his reason for attacking Mr Cullimore has never been established.

Detective Sergeant Suzanne Soren, Homicide and Major Crime Command said: "This was a devastating attack on a man who essentially came round to speak to a friend.

"Joseph’s family have been left completely devastated by the loss of a much-loved son, brother, father and uncle.

"No matter how long a sentence it will not help in any way in bringing Joseph back.”

  • A 35-year-old woman arrested in connection with this incident was later released with no further action.