Boy, 16, 'ran off laughing after killing shop worker with a single punch in a row over cigarette papers'

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Boy, 16, ‘ran off laughing after killing shop worker with a single punch in a row over cigarette papers’

A 16-year-old boy allegedly ran off laughing after killing a shop worker with a single knockout blow in a row over cigarette papers.

The teenager, who cannot be named, is said to have become aggressive when he and his friends were prevented from buying a packet of Rizla because they were under 18.

He threatened to break the windows of the shop before smashing his forearm into the face of 49 year-old Vijay Kumar Patel, it is claimed.

Vijay Patel was pictured on CCTV just half an hour before he was killed, apparently in the row over his refusal to sell teenagers cigarette papers

He was seen chatting to another shopkeeper shortly before the attack which claimed his life

Vijay Patel is pictured in hospital after he suffered a fatal head wound when he fell to the ground in north-west London

Mr Patel, who was standing with his hands in his pockets, fell backwards and hit his head on the pavement.

The 16-year-old and his two friends ran away from the scene leaving him unconscious on the ground in Mill Hill, north London.

‘They appeared to be laughing, joking and happy about what had just taken place,’ prosecutor Louis Mably.

A witness heard one of them say: ‘You got him good’, jurors were told.

Mr Patel suffered catastrophic brain injuries and died in hospital the next day.

CCTV cameras captured the attack just outside the front door of the Rota Express shop in Mill Hill Broadway at 11.45pm on 6 January this year, the court heard.

‘The boy suddenly lunged at Mr Patel, flew towards him and smashed him in the upper part of his body with his right forearm,’ said Mr Mably.

‘Mr Patel was standing on the pavement with his hands in his pockets and this came as a complete surprise.’

Mr Patel suffered bruising to the left side of his face and jaw that suggested he was hit with a forearm or shoulder than a fist, the court heard.

The attack was also witnessed by the shopkeeper who had refused to serve the three boys, the court heard.

He told police that he asked for ID when they came into the store and tried to buy some Rizla papers.

‘The boys couldn’t produce any that he would accept so he refused to serve them because they were under 18,’ said Mr Mably.

‘The shorter boy (the suspect) became aggressive and called him a motherf***er.

‘On the way out of the shop the shorter one said he was going to smash the shop window.’

When they started to hang around outside, the shopkeeper told his assistant Mr Patel to go out and check what they were doing, the court heard.

The 16 -ear-old allegedly shouted: ‘Why did you come out motherf***er? Do you want a fight?’

‘He looked like he was getting ready for some kind of physical confrontation,’ said Mr Mably.

Father-of-two Vijay Patel was described as an 'inspiration'. He is pictured with his wife, Vibha, who was in west India when her husband's life support was switched off — Father-of-two Vijay Patel was described as an ‘inspiration’. He is pictured with his wife, Vibha, who was in west India when her husband’s life support was switched off

Mr Patel's family said he worked hard at all hours of the day to provide for his wife and children — Mr Patel’s family said he worked hard at all hours of the day to provide for his wife and children

Police are pictured at the scene in Mill Hill, where Mr Patel was allegedly attacked for refusing to serve youths Rizla rolling papers

After knocking Mr Patel unconscious, the teenager then punched the shopkeeper in the face.

The shopkeeper tried to fend the boys off with an advertising board before running back into Rota Express to grab a broom to chase them down the road, the court heard.

Police and paramedics arrived to find Mr Patel, from Colindale, lying injured on the pavement making a gurgling noise.

He died at around 6pm on January 7.

The 16 year-old boy was arrested the next day and made no comment in police interview.

A search of his bedroom recovered the black jacket and Burberry scarf he was wearing at the time of the attack.

Mr Patel’s saliva was found on the right sleeve of the coat.

Jurors heard the suspect has autism and ADHD and has been given a stress toy on the dock to help him during the trial.

The teenager, from Brent, denies manslaughter.

The trial continues.