‘Forever smiling’ 20-year-old man killed and friend stabbed in Croydon revenge attack

A young man who was “always happy and always smiling” was stabbed to death in a revenge attack in Croydon last year as two men were found guilty of murder. Bradley Hutchins, 20, was stabbed multiple times along with a 19-year-old man on North Walk in New Addington on September 12, 2023.

Two men were arrested on suspicion of murder and later charged. Shane Canavan, 23, and his half-brother Joshua Langley, 28, were found guilty at Woolwich Crown Court on Monday, July 8, following a trial.

On September 12, police were called to reports of a fight on North Walk. After being stabbed, Bradley and his friend made their way to the nearby New Addington London Ambulance Service base, where Bradley died from a stab wound to the chest. The teenager attacked was also seriously injured and continues to require treatment for his injuries more than six months later.

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After the Metropolitan Police opened a murder investigation, detectives found a crowbar, a monkey wrench, a knife and a balaclava at the scene on North Walk, where the fight broke out between Bradley, his friend and two attackers. Police deduced that one of the attackers was Canavan, who had attacked Bradley and his friend a few days earlier but had come off worse. But Canavan wanted to finish the job, so he brought in Langley and he arrived with a knife and a balaclava.

Detective Inspector Matt Read, who led the investigation, said: “We were able to quickly identify Canavan and Langley as responsible for this terrible attack. We determined that Canavan had been involved in a fight with Bradley and the other man for several days. previously where he had been the aggressor, but it had been worse then, luckily no one was seriously injured.

“However, Canavan could not let him go and went out to look for the two victims, this time with a knife. When he found himself outnumbered by the pair and a few friends, he called for support from his half-brother, Langley, and himself. he also arrived with a knife and wearing a balaclava.

“A struggle then ensued in which Bradley and the other victim fought back with improvised weapons. However, both were stabbed multiple times.”

DI Read added: “Our thoughts are first and foremost today with Bradley’s family following the utter devastation they have suffered. Not only did they lose Bradley in horrific and unnecessary circumstances, but they also suffered the additional suffering of another relative who was seriously injured. he continues to be treated for his injuries to this day.”

Bradley’s family said: “We are obviously very happy with this verdict and we are glad that these two men will now be on the streets where they cannot hurt anyone else. We are grateful to all who have contributed to the realization of this belief today.

“Although in reality it is not a victory for us as we have lost our son and brother. Bradley was the best son a mother could wish for – always happy, always smiling and known by so many people for his kindness, always willing to help others. He will forever be remembered as our hero.

“Bradley was yet another young man killed in a senseless knife attack – more must be done to tackle knife crime, save lives and prevent another family from being devastated by the devastating loss of someone they loved I love. No parent should ever have to go through the loss of a child.”

Canavan and Langley will be sentenced on Tuesday, August 6.

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