A teenage drill rapper has been found guilty of grievous bodily harm after he stabbed a man in a fast food restaurant in Lewisham who only survived after he was given open heart surgery at the roadside.

The 18-year-old gang member has been acquitted of attempted murder but found guilty of causing grievous bodily harm with intent after he boasted about the stabbing in a music video.

Joshua Erorh, of Courtney Road, Grays, attacked a 21-year-old outside a fast food restaurant in New Cross, south east London, just before midnight on Saturday, March 14.

That night, Erorh, who raps under the name Lil MDot, was armed with a knife concealed with a white plastic bag over his hand when he confronted the victim, before stabbing him twice in the chest.

When the victim's brother left the restaurant and intervened in the fight, Erorh ran off in the direction of Goodwood Road carrying the knife with him, and leaving behind his bike.

One of the blows pierced the 21-year-old's heart, but unaware of how severe his injuries were, the victim and his brother chased after Erorh.

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A short while into the chase, the victim collapsed nearby and his brother decided to drive him directly to hospital

At 11:55pm, police officers pulled the car over on Friendly Street in Deptford after they noticed the vehicle driving erratically.

Officers quickly established that the driver’s brother, in the rear seat of the car, was suffering from stab injuries to the chest and provided first aid to the victim.

When paramedics arrived, emergency open heart surgery was performed on the victim at the side of the road before he was taken to hospital for further treatment.

The victim currently remains in a life-threatening condition eight months on.

Officers from the Met’s South East Basic Command Unit launched an investigation to establish exactly what happened on the night and carried out extensive CCTV and mobile phone analysis.

As a result they were able to link Erorh to the scene of the stabbing, and he was arrested on Wednesday, March 25, and charged on the same day with attempted murder.

Detective Constable Jamie Layton, the investigating officer from South East area’s CID, said: “This was a shocking act of violence that could have cost a man’s life, and my team and I were committed to bringing Erorh to justice.

“I want to praise the police officers that stopped the car and provided the victim with initial first aid and CPR, while they waited for emergency health workers to arrive on the scene.

"Had it not been for the brilliant efforts of the medics, the victim may have died from his injuries.

"However, his life and his family’s life has now been changed forever due to this brutal act of violence and he continues to fight for his life.

“I hope that the conviction of Erorh, and the sentence that will follow, will send out a clear message to those all too willing to engage in violence that it will simply not be tolerated. No good can ever come from carrying a knife."

Erorh faced trial at Kingston Crown Court and was found not guilty of attempted murder.

He was found guilty of causing grievous bodily harm with intent on Monday, 30 November and will be sentenced on 8 February 2021 at Snaresbrook Crown Court.

The unanimous verdict came after the court heard that the attack was motivated by Erorh’s mistaken belief that the victim was an active member of a rival gang.

The jury was also told that Erorh posted a Drill music video boasting about the attack and making a reference to the food order he made minutes before stabbing the victim.

A 22-year-old man was found not guilty of assisting an offender.

Anyone with information about crime can contact independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

If you or someone you know is involved in knife crime and you want help or support, visit Knife Free.