A “dangerous” teenager who said he carried a knife for his own protection has been jailed for more than 10 years for fatally stabbing another teen.

Chris Enaruba, 19, knifed Denzel Njemo during an attack in Dartford High Street.

Enaruba and an associate had travelled to the town to meet the 18-year-old victim on the evening of April 14 last year.

An altercation broke out which saw Enaruba lunge at Mr Njemo with a knife, inflicting an injury to his leg.

This led to a fight in a passage linking Suffolk Road and the high street and shortly after the victim was stabbed again, this time in the chest.

Police and paramedics were called but Mr Njemo, of College Place, Greenhithe, died at the scene.

Before officers arrived, Enaruba discarded his jacket and the knife near an electricity sub-station before heading to Darent Valley Hospital for treatment of some of his injuries.

An investigation by the police located both the discarded jacket and knife, and a day later Enaruba and his associate were arrested in Gillingham.

Enaruba, of Copper Mead Close, Cricklewood, London, was charged with murder, which he denied, and a trial was held at Maidstone Crown Court in October.

A jury found the defendant not guilty, but instead convicted him on the lesser charge of manslaughter.

The 19-year-old man who had travelled to Dartford with Enaruba was found not guilty of a charge of assisting an offender.

Today Enaruba returned to Maidstone Crown Court for sentencing.

Judge Julian Smith told him: “This offence was planned and I am satisfied that the defendant had a knife with him and that he produced it first.

“It was already opened and produced so quickly from his pocket that it must be the case that violence was anticipated.”

The judge added the attack happened when members of the public witnessed the fearful incident.

Enaruba on his own admission regularly carried a knife for protection.

He told a probation officer: “If I get into a situation, having a knife helps me mentally. If I felt in danger I would use it. Carrying a knife protects me.”

He was deemed by the judge as “dangerous” and jailed for 11 years.

Enaruba will have to serve two thirds of the sentence before he can be considered for parole, and upon his release from prison will be subject to an additional licence period of four years.

The judge added: “There must be substantial punishment for what (you) have done but nothing can reflect the true impact of Denzel Njemo’s family.”

Speaking after the hearing, senior investigating officer, Detective Inspector Ross Gurden, said: “Enaruba travelled into Dartford armed with a knife and he had little hesitation in using what proved to be a deadly weapon.

“Ultimately Enaruba’s actions have cut short a young life and devastated an entire family.

“This senseless act has left a family in mourning and having to come to terms with the needless loss of a much-loved son and brother.

“Today’s sentencing will hopefully at least offer some comfort to Mr Njemo’s parents and his wider family, in the sense that they feel that some justice has been gained.”