Baby-faced murderers, 13 and 14, jailed for life for stabbing schoolboy over cannabis dispute

The court heard how Nathaniel and Dermody had previously been pals

Two baby-faced teen killers who stabbed a schoolboy to death in petty row over cannabis have today been unmasked.

Kyle Dermody and Trey Stewart-Gayle, the aged 13 and 14, savagely knifed Nathaniel Shani, 14, in Manchester on September 15, 2023.

Nathaniel Shani, 14, was brutally stabbed in the neck by Kyle DermodyCredit: SWNS

Kyle Dermody, 15, was sentenced to at least 13 years behind barsCredit: MEN Media

 

Trey Stewart-Gayle, 14, was jailed for at least 10 yearsCredit: MEN Media

Reporting restrictions have now been lifted allowing the murderous teens to be identified after they were sentenced, MEN reports.

Dermody will have to serve at least 13 years, while Stewart-Gayle, who was found to have "encouraged and assisted" his accomplice, was given a minimum of ten years.

Upon sentencing, the judge said of their victim: "That a boy of his age should have met his death by boys of a similar age is a tragedy - sadly it is no longer shocking.

"Whatever his flaws, Nathaniel did not deserve to die and not in such a violent way.

"He deserved the opportunity to better himself and to make a positive contribution to society.

"Unlike you, and by reason of your senseless behaviour he will never now be able to do so.”

The court heard how Nathaniel and Dermody, now aged 15, had previously been pals at Manchester Communications Academy.

But "physical fights" were sparked after a row over stolen cannabis, which saw the boys "fall out".

Around two weeks before his murder, Nathaniel had been involved in low-level drug dealing and was being taken advantage of by older teens.

On the day he was brutally knifed to death, he discovered the class B drug had been stolen from his friend by Stewart-Gayle.

The court heard Nathaniel saw this as a "loss of face" and a "one v one fight" was set to resolve the matter.

He met with Dermody and Stewart-Gayle at around 6pm that evening.

The court heard how Nathaniel punched Dermody, who was being cheered on by Stewart-Gayle.

Dermody, who was 14-years-old at the time, pulled out a blade and fatally stabbed Nathaniel in the neck.

Stewart-Gayle was heard saying "do it" after seeing the knife, the court heard.

Nathaniel was pronounced dead at 7.08pm.

During the trial the court heard Dermody’s lawyers argued the teen believed Nathaniel was also carrying a knife.

He claimed he was acting in self-defence.

Meanwhile, Stewart-Gayle’s team told the court how he had confessed to police the following day.

He told officers he had taken the screwdriver from Dermody but had never intended to use it.

The then 13-year-old also admitted to stealing cannabis.

Nathaniel was pronounced dead at 7.08pmCredit: MEN Media

The teen had previously been friends with DermodyCredit: SWNS

The young air cadet was fatally stabbed in the neckCredit: MEN Media

David Wilson