Two teenagers have been sentenced to a total of eight years for the killing of Yeray Sanchez Morales, the 17-year-old who was stabbed to death outside a branch of McDonald’s on Old Kent Road, Southwark, last summer.
Andres Tapia Londono, 18, of Willan Road, Haringey, was convicted of manslaughter and sentenced to four years. Christhofer Jesus Vasquez, 18, of Platts Road, Enfield, was also convicted of manslaughter and sentenced to four years for the killing and one year for a separate offence of possessing a bladed article, with the sentences to run concurrently.
Four more teenagers and a man were further sentenced for violent offences connected with the events surrounding the incident. All of those sentenced were found not guilty of murder.
What happened to Yeray Sanchez Morales
At around 10.46pm on Wednesday, 27 August 2025, Yeray Sanchez Morales and a friend were sitting outside a branch of McDonald’s on Old Kent Road when a group of young men approached them.
According to the Metropolitan Police, the group stabbed them both in front of a crowd of teenagers before kicking Yeray and hitting him with a bottle. Yeray suffered nine wounds to the neck and chest and died a week later in hospital.
His friend survived the attack. The friend told detectives they did not know why they had been targeted.
How detectives tracked down the group
Seven boys and a man, who were aged between 15 and 20 at the time, were located at addresses across London following a manhunt by specialist Met detectives.
Detectives appealed directly to the teenagers who had witnessed the attack, obtaining mobile phone footage of the night. Using that footage and local CCTV, officers tracked the individuals involved and identified who had struck blows by their distinctive clothing.
Police also used photographs shared on the suspects’ social media, including images of bloodied hands and knives, and voice notes to prove their involvement. One of the 16-year-olds was found to have booked a taxi to take him away from the scene shortly after the attack, while a specialist forensic team linked one of the group to the crime through DNA left on the rim of a bottle used to attack Yeray.
Other sentences
In addition to the two manslaughter convictions, the Met confirmed the following sentences were imposed:
- Isaac Ros Ramirez, 18, of Pamela Street, Hackney — convicted of violent disorder and given a community order.
- Juan Betancourt Hoyos, 21, of Mount Pleasant Road, Haringey — convicted of violent disorder and given a community order.
- A 16-year-old boy, who cannot be named for legal reasons — convicted of violent disorder and sentenced to 16 months.
- A second 16-year-old boy, who cannot be named for legal reasons — convicted of violent disorder and given a 12-month youth rehabilitation order.
- A third 16-year-old boy, who cannot be named for legal reasons — pleaded guilty to violent disorder, intent to do grievous bodily harm and possession of a bladed article in relation to a second victim on Friday, 20 February, and given a community order.
Vasquez had pleaded guilty to possession of a bladed article on Friday, 23 January.
“Cruelly cut in an act of violence”
Detective Sergeant Debbie Barge, who led the investigation, said: “Yeray was just a teenager with his whole life ahead of him. This was cruelly cut in an act of violence that deeply shocked the whole community.”
“The majority of the teenagers present were horrified by what they witnessed — we would like to thank them for working closely with us to bring those responsible for justice.”
She added: “Detectives worked quickly to track down the suspects, proving their roles in and surrounding Yeray’s death. Our thoughts remain with his family, and hope these convictions can bring them some degree of peace.”
Mother’s tribute to Yeray Sanchez Morales
Elena Morales, Yeray’s mother, paid tribute to her son in a statement released through the Met:
“Yeray was only 17 years old when his life was stolen. He was a sensitive, happy, polite and generous young man, always ready to help anyone who needed it. He had a special way of connecting with others, and a kindness that shone through everything he did.”
She said Yeray loved to dance and sing, had just finished the first year of a Sport Science course, and dreamt of becoming a PE teacher. “He was in love and full of dreams and projects,” she said.
“His death has left a wound so deep that it can never heal. The sadness and pain have scarred our family and his friends forever.”
She described the ordeal of burying her son and attending court as “unbearably painful”, adding: “But I am sustained by God, and by the support of my family and friends and all the professional teams that have treated me with such understanding and affection.”
The Metropolitan Police said the case formed part of its efforts to tackle knife crime and secure justice for victims of homicide in London.
Reporting based on the Metropolitan Police.
