A teenager who attempted to murder a rival by stabbed him repeatedly in the back during a revenge attack has been jailed for 12 years.

Kieron Palmer - known as Looney - ambushed the 18-year-old near the victim’s Shirley home last June, stabbing him in the leg before slashing him three times in the back as he tried to escape.

The 19-year-old was sentenced at the Old Bailey on March 22 after being found guilty at the same court last month.

Another man, 18-year-old Ricardo Ferreira, tipped off Palmer about where the victim would be. He was sentenced to five years in prison for causing grievous bodily harm in the attack.

Detective Constable Eric Somerville from Croydon CID, who led the investigation, said: “This was a violent and planned attack against the victim, and one which could have so easily ended in tragedy.

“Twelve years behind bars is a long time and this should be a warning to anyone thinking about using a knife - we will catch you and you can expect to spend a long time in prison if you carry out this kind of assault.”