**Three Teenagers Admit to Killing Elderly Man in London Street Assault**
In a case that has shocked both the capital and the wider community, three teenage girls have admitted to causing the death of a 75-year-old man in a violent attack that was recorded on a mobile phone. The trio, aged 15, 16, and 17, confronted their victim, Fredi Rivero, near a bus stop on Seven Sisters Road in Islington, north London, on the evening of 27 February 2025.
The incident unfolded shortly after the teenagers alighted from a bus, reportedly surrounding Mr Rivero in a sudden and unprovoked assault. According to police investigations, the girls subjected him to a series of physical attacks, pushing, punching, and kicking the elderly man. During the attack, one of the assailants was seen recording the event with her phone, at one point even grabbing Mr Rivero’s glasses.
CCTV footage, which later became a key component of the police’s evidence, captured the most senior of the teenagers delivering a forceful blow to Mr Rivero’s head. This strike caused him to fall backwards heavily to the pavement. Emergency services were alerted at 11.25pm and arrived to find Mr Rivero lying unconscious with a critical head injury. He was in cardiac arrest at the scene and was quickly transported to the Royal London Hospital, where, sadly, he succumbed to his injuries the following day.
At a hearing at the Old Bailey, all three girls pleaded guilty to manslaughter during an appearance made via video link from custody. Owing to their ages, the identities of the defendants cannot be published. Presiding Judge Judy Khan KC ordered that pre-sentencing reports be prepared and remanded the teenagers into custody ahead of their sentencing, which is scheduled for 5 September.
Mr Rivero, a Bolivian national, was described by police and family members as a “much-loved father”. Members of his family including his daughter, former wife, and cousins attended the court hearing, visibly affected by the proceedings and the loss of their loved one. The police investigation also highlighted the painful impact Mr Rivero’s death has had not only on his family but also within the local community, reflecting the deep sense of loss following such a shocking crime.
Detective Inspector Devan Taylor of Scotland Yard led the investigation into the attack. In a statement released after the hearing, he described the incident as a “truly tragic” and senseless episode, expressing his profound condolences to Mr Rivero’s relatives and commending their dignity throughout the inquiry. DI Taylor also acknowledged the members of the public who attempted to assist Mr Rivero at the scene, highlighting the community’s response to the distressing events.
Commenting on the age of the defendants, DI Taylor said, “The age of those responsible adds yet another layer of tragedy to this incident. These young people will now face the consequences of an act that cost an innocent man his life and has devastated many others.”
The case has prompted conversations around youth violence, social responsibility, and the role of technology in modern crime. The recording of the assault on a mobile phone has underscored concerns about a culture in which violence is sometimes documented and shared, rather than prevented or reported.
The wider Islington community, along with supporters of Mr Rivero’s family, will wait anxiously for the upcoming sentencing. The tragic events have left a lasting mark and raised serious questions about how such incidents can be anticipated and prevented in future. For those involved – both victim and perpetrator – the consequences have been profound and irrevocable.