Man who killed boy, 15, as part of ‘pathetic gang rivalry’ set for early prison release

Daejuan Campbell with his mum Jodian Taylor (left). Marko Balaz (right) was jailed for manslaughter

A gang member who killed a teenage boy as part of a ‘pathetic rivalry’ is eligible for early release after serving a year of his sentence.

Marko Balaz, 19, was jailed for 11 years in October for being involved in the killing of Daejuan Campbell – a 15-year-old boy who was fatally stabbed eight times with a zombie-style machete by Imrie Doue in Woolwich in September 2024.

At the time of his sentencing, Judge Sarah Munro KC said Balaz and Doue targeted the younger boy as part of a ‘pathetic gang rivalry’.

Daejuan, who was preparing to go back to school the next day, was ambushed by the pair who had covered their faces. As he lay dying, he told a witness: ‘Don’t let me die, I am only 15.’

Balaz w...