Teacher killer cleared of robbery

24 August 2011 Last updated at 07:35 ET

Learco Chindamo murdered head teacher Philip Lawrence in 1995

The man who killed head teacher Philip Lawrence has been cleared of robbing a man at a cash point in north London.

Learco Chindamo, 31, had been accused of using his notoriety to intimidate and rob David Sexton in Camden.

Chindamo was released from prison four months before the confrontation outside a Sainsbury’s store in November, Blackfriars Crown Court heard.

Chindamo was convicted of murdering Mr Lawrence outside St George’s School in Maida Vale, north west London, in 1995.

Freed in 2010

Gregory Jananto and Saeed Akhtar, both 32, were also found not guilty of robbery.

Prosecutors claimed Chindamo, of Catford, south London, had bragged about his murder conviction to intimidate Mr Sexton into handing over money.

They said he had asked Mr Sexton, “Do remember about the head teacher in Maida Vale?”, as he had ordered him to hand over his money.

But the defence said Mr Sexton had branded Chindamo a killer, mocking him and his two friends.

Mr Sexton, 20, had been on a night out with colleagues which took him and his friends to Camden at about 03:30 GMT.

He told the court he had planned to withdraw a large amount of money from the cash machine but became wary and only took out £20 when he noticed Chindamo and two other men.

‘Disrespecting him’

Prosecutor Alison Morgan told the court: “Mr Chindamo came towards Mr Sexton saying words to the effect of, ‘Do know who I am?’ and ‘Do remember about the head teacher in Maida Vale?’

Mr Sexton told the court he did not initially recognise Chindamo but knew about Mr Lawrence’s murder as it had happened near his home.

Giving evidence Mr Sexton said: “He demanded compensation for disrespecting him.”

In 1996 Chindamo was ordered to serve at least 12 years in jail for fatally stabbing Mr Lawrence, 48, outside the gates of the school.

He was freed in July 2010.

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