Judge's 'evil of carrying machetes' warning as laughing gas killer gets life

A teenager who murdered a man with a machete during a drug party in Leeds must serve at least 24 years in jail.

- by Nick Frame

Romaine James, 18, killed Saymore Kwashira in cold blood, stabbing him through the stomach at the flat 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 found 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.