Machete-wielding teen murderer ordered to serve 24 years for Leeds laughing-gas-party slaying
A teenager who murdered a man with a machete during a drug party at a Leeds flat has been told he must serve at least 24 years in jail.
Romaine James, 18, killed Saymore Kwashira in cold blood, stabbing him through the stomach at the property in Belle Isle.
He maintained throughout his trial at Leeds Crown Court that he was acting in self defence, claiming Mr Kwashira threatened to rob him.
But the jury was not convinced by his story, finding him guilty of murder. He has previous convictions for carrying machetes from 2023.
The judge, The Recorder of Leeds, Guy Kearl KC gave him the mandatory life sentence, and told he must serve the minimum term of 24 years.
He said: “It was not self defence, nor anything like it. The force used in each strike was severe.
“You decided to teach him a lesson not to mess with you.
“This would not have happened if you had not been armed. That is the evil of carrying machetes. You carried one habitually.
“Your actions have changed the the life of the Kwashira family forever.”
Subject to life licence, it means James could be recalled should be break his parole conditions when he is finally released.
During his recent nine-day trial, it was heard that James had been taking nitrous oxide, also known as laughing gas - with friends at an address of Winrose Avenue, Belle Isle, in the early hours of November 11 last year.
Mr Kwashira - often known as “S” - was friends with the homeowner’s daughter and often stayed at the property. He was also present.
James and others had gone to the property that night, claiming they were there to “chill” - to relax.
CCTV showed James outside the property before the killing with a balloon in his mouth which was filled with the nitrous oxide.
The emergency services were called to the property at 12.17am. James had fled and was again caught on CCTV, this time holding the machete as he left.
The weapon was never found, along with the clothes he was wearing.
A witness gave evidence that James said to the victim prior to the killing: “What are you chatting sh** about me for?”
A pathologist’s report later concluded Mr Kwashira was stabbed twice - once in the stomach, and once to the neck.
The neck wound had severed part of his ear and part of the base of the skull.
The stab wound to the abdomen ruptured two major blood vessels, proving fatal. Almost two litres of blood had collected in his abdominal cavity.
James, of Reginald Mount, Potternewton, handed himself into the police station 19 days after the killing.
He was accompanied by his mother and gave a mainly no-comment interview.
James claimed during the trial that Mr Kwashira was holding a machete and had attempted to rob him.
He claimed he became scared that Mr Kwashira was being serious, so tried to leave the room.
Saying he was prevented from doing so, he grabbed the machete and swung at Mr Kwashira, causing the fatal injury.
He failed to convince the jury who returned a unanimous guilty verdict after five hours of deliberation.