Teenager Convicted of Murder After Fatal Stabbing Outside Bedford Bus Station

A teenager has been convicted of murder following the “brutal and senseless” killing of 17-year-old Thomas Taylor in Bedford earlier this year.

Bennett Ndenkeh, 19, was found guilty today (Thursday) of murdering Thomas, who was fatally stabbed during a violent altercation near Bedford bus station on Wednesday 8 January 2025.

The attack took place at around 5.50pm in Greenhill Street, where a group of teenagers confronted Thomas and two others. During the escalation, Ndenkeh produced a knife and stabbed Thomas, who later died in hospital despite the efforts of emergency services.

A second teenager, 18-year-old Riaz Miah, was found not guilty of murder but convicted of manslaughter.

Background to the Attack

The court heard that the violence followed an earlier dispute. Miah had reportedly been assaulted by someone connected to Thomas in the days leading up to the stabbing. On the day of the incident, Thomas and Miah exchanged messages — with Thomas warning against retaliation — before agreeing to meet in Bedford town centre.

Shortly after the stabbing, the group dispersed. CCTV footage showed Ndenkeh taking a taxi away from the scene, while Miah left in a friend’s car. Both were arrested within three days of the attack following investigation by detectives from the Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Hertfordshire Major Crime Unit.

Investigators also recovered messages from seized devices, including one in which Miah advised another person involved in the altercation to “no comment everything” shortly before his arrest.

Ndenkeh, of Midland Road, Bedford, and Miah, of Foster Hill Road, Bedford, were convicted following a seven-week trial at Luton Crown Court. They are due to be sentenced on 10 October.

Two other teenagers were found not guilty of murder, and the jury was unable to reach a verdict on a fifth defendant.

Detective Chief Inspector Richard Stott, who led the investigation, said:

“This was a brutal and senseless act of violence that has ended the life of a young man who had so many years and experiences still in front of him, and devastated the lives of those who knew him. Our thoughts are with his family and friends at this time.

“It has also drastically altered the path of the two people found guilty today – who are now facing the prospect of spending many of the prime years of their life behind bars.”