Remorseless thug jailed for life for killing Christopher Alaneme

A 31-year-old painter and decorator from Peckham, south-east London was found guilty of murdering teenager, Christopher Alaneme, 18, during a night out in Sheerness Kent in April 2006.

On Monday 10 December at Maidstone Crown Court, Peter Connolly was ordered to serve a minimum of 15 years in prison for the unprovoked stabbing attack on Christopher which followed alleged racist remarks by Connolly and the group of men he was with. The court heard that he had been being drinking and taking drugs prior to the attack and gone to the town centre with a knife accompanied by Andrew Giblin, 28, Terence Beaney, 25, Sean Duhig, 23, and Gerry Duhig, 27. Connolly was sentenced for an additional 10 years for stabbing 30-year-old taxi driver, Mark Davies five times after he attempted to find out what was happening. He has been left with life long medical problems as a result of the serious injuries he sustained.

Despite the racist abuse by the gang, Justice Godring decided that the attack on Christopher could not be considered racist. Referring to murderer Connolly he said: "[f]rom the beginning, you have not shown the slightest remorse.” Following the sentencing, Christopher’s mother, Agatha said: "My son Christopher was a wonderful son, brother, grandson and friend who touched the lives of everyone that he met.”