A man who stabbed another man in the neck has been convicted of manslaughter after arguing about a driving license.

Jason De Sousa, 21, of no fixed address was convicted of the manslaughter of 21-year-old Joseph Olopo from Colindale at the Old Bailey today.

Police were called to Heathfield Gardens, Golders Green on Friday, February 17 to reports of a number males fighting when they found Mr Olopo with a stab wound to the neck.

Mr Olopo was taken to St Mary’s Hospital, Praed Street by the London Ambulance Service but was pronounced dead shortly after arrival and the post-mortem gave the cause of death as a stab wound to the neck.

De Sousa, who was arrested on Wednesday, February 22 in a hotel where he had spent the night using a false name.

He initially refused to answer questions before telling police he acted in self-defence. He was charged with murder on Thursday. February 23.

The court heard how De Sousa had demanded his driving licence back and making veiled violent threats against others if he did not get it back in the days leading up to the Mr Olopo’s death.

On the night of stabbing De Sousa came armed with a knife, and a fight broke out between him, Mr Olopo and two other men, all of whom were carrying weapons.

The fight led to De Sousa stabbing Mr Olopo in the neck, and then running away from the scene of the crime.

A 17-year-old boy arrested on suspicion of affray was later released with no further action being taken against him.

The investigation was led by Homicide and Major Crime Command Detective Inspector Shaun Fitzgerald.

He said: "This was a violent attack on a man with his whole life ahead of him. The dispute was over documents each person had in their possession and for that small reason, Joseph lost his life.

"I hope today's verdict will go some small way to helping Joseph's family to move on from this tragic incident."