Two teenagers have appeared at the Old Bailey accused of killing a young man over a “perceived slight” on a bus.

Gabriel Petrov Stoyanov, 21, was fatally stabbed in Downham shortly before midnight on November 4.

On Tuesday, two teenagers, aged 14 and 17, appeared at the Old Bailey charged with his murder, with a third defendant, aged 16, due in court on Wednesday.

The victim had been on the same bus as his three alleged attackers.

During a journey lasting less than 10 minutes, it is thought he tried to engage with the youths.

He got off the bus two stops before the defendants, who then allegedly walked back and loitered outside a takeaway where Mr Stoyanov was buying food.

There was a confrontation in Bromley Road in which the 14-year-old threw a bottle and the 17-year-old hit the victim with a bike chain, it is alleged.

The 16-year-old then allegedly stabbed the victim in the chest.

Mr Stoyanov was taken to hospital where he died the next day.

The prosecution alleged that each defendant had armed themselves in a “planned and premeditated” act.

Prosecutor Fiona Robertson said: “This was a wholly unprovoked attack on an unknown male over a perceived slight.”

During the court hearing, the two youths aged 14 and 17 spoke to confirm their identities.

Judge Anthony Leonard KC set a plea hearing for February 3 with a provisional trial from May 2.

He remanded the defendants into the care of the local authority.

The youths cannot be identified because of their young ages.

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