Teenager convicted of murder after fatal Bedford car park stabbing over designer coat feud
A 19-year-old man has been convicted of murder after fatally stabbing another man in a busy Bedford car park following an ongoing dispute over a designer coat.
Jacob Zuco, of Kimble Drive, Bedford, was found guilty yesterday (Wednesday) of murdering 20-year-old Leon Penman in Riverfield Drive in May 2024. He was also convicted of section 18 grievous bodily harm in relation to a separate stabbing two months earlier.
Read: 18-year-old charged with murder of father of two following Riverfield Drive stabbing
On 24 May 2024, Leon was shopping with his partner when he recognised Zuco as the person who had seriously injured him in March. He approached him in the car park, but backed away when he saw Zuco was carrying a knife.
Off-duty paramedics
Leon then got into his car and drove closer to Zuco, who leaned in through the window and stabbed him several times.
Off-duty paramedics witnessed the attack and administered CPR, but Leon was pronounced dead at the scene shortly afterwards.
Zuco attempted to flee, but members of the public restrained him until police arrived.
The court heard that the stabbing followed a previous violent altercation in March 2024, during which Leon sustained severe stab wounds in a dispute believed to be related to the resale of a designer coat.
Zuco had already admitted possession of a knife. He was found not guilty of a racially aggravated harassment charge related to his behaviour before the fatal attack.
Speaking after the verdict, detective sergeant Simon Oldfield, from the Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Hertfordshire Major Crime Unit, said: “Once again we see the tragic consequences of people possessing and carrying knives.
“First and foremost, our sympathies and condolences go to the family and friends of Leon Penman. This was a horrific and violent attack leading to a futile loss of life and pain and sadness for all who knew him.
“But it has also ruined the life of the perpetrator, who will now, rightly, spend many years behind bars.”
Read: Plea hearing date set for teenager charged with Riverfield Drive murder
He added, “We know there can be a number of reasons why a young person may carry a knife, but none of them are worth this. We would encourage people to reach out for help and support to stop another tragedy like this from happening.”
Zuco is expected to be sentenced on 18 June.
To learn more about the Just Drop It anti-knife crime campaign and access support, visit bedsveru.org/just-drop-it.
