Finbar Sullivan's 'murderers' deny killing 21-year-old film student who was surrounded and stabbed to death on Primrose Hill

By OLIVIA DAY, ASSISTANT NEWS EDITOR, AUSTRALIA Published: 13:28, 26 June 2026 | Updated: 13:33, 26 June 2026 Three men have denied killing a 21-year-old film student who was surrounded and stabbed during a violent brawl at Primrose Hill.  Finbar Sullivan was allegedly kicked, punched and fatally stabbed by seven men at the popular beauty spot in north London at 6.40pm on April 7.  The London Screen Academy student was killed in full view of the public, with many recording the fatal brawl on their phones. He was pronounced dead at the scene despite the frantic efforts of paramedics.  Ernest Boateng and Alexis Bidace, both 25, and Oliuwadamilola Ogunyankinnu, 27, appeared at the Old Bailey for a plea hearing before Judge Mark Dennis KC on Friday. Speaking by video-link from Belmarsh and Isis prisons, the men spoke only to confirm their identities and entered not guilty pleas to three charges against them. All three defendants are charged with murder, manslaughter and violent disorder over the death of Mr Sullivan. Khalid Abdulqadir, 18, of Fellows Road, Camden, has been charged with causing grievous bodily harm with intent, violent disorder and possession of a knife in relation to the incident. He did not appear in court on Friday.  Finbar Sullivan, centre, with his mother Leah Seresin and father Christopher Sullivan, who went to the scene as soon as he heard his son had been caught up in the violence The 21-year-old, who studied at the London Screen Academy, followed his family into the arts, primarily producing music videos for drill rap artists under the name Sully Shot It Pictured is a court sketch of Oliuwadamilola Ogunyankinnu appearing at Stratford Magistrates' Court on April 13  The court previously heard Mr Sullivan had entered the park at 6.25pm and joined friends before he allegedly became surrounded by a group of attackers. It is alleged Boateng kicked the film student, taking out his legs and causing him to fall to the ground before he was stabbed. Bidace is alleged to have punched and kicked Mr Sullivan alongside Ogunyankinnu. Another unnamed male, armed with a knife, is alleged to have stabbed Mr Sullivan in the thigh, causing an 'unsurvivable' injury. Judge Dennis set a further case management hearing on September 25 ahead of an eight-week trial due to begin on April 5 next year.  Prosecutor Jennifer Newcomb earlier said Mr Sullivan 'came to be surrounded by the suspects, he was punched, pushed, fell to the ground and continued to be assaulted with punches, kicks and stamps. 'Mr Boateng kicked Mr Sullivan taking out his leg causing him to fall to the floor and seconds before he was stabbed and while on the floor Mr Boateng punched him and Mr Bidace punched and kicked him. 'At the time these males were surrounding him another man stabbed him multiple times including a fatal injury to the thigh. A second victim also suffered stab injuries.' Finbar (pictured) was allegedly kicked, punched and fatally stabbed by seven men at the park Mr Sullivan's father Christopher Sullivan, a musician and founder of the 1980s band Blue Rondo à la Turk, said he was 'broken-hearted' by his son's death.  He previously told the Daily Mail: 'He was the most beautiful, lovely, outgoing, loving boy. He was just a really lovely person.' Finbar, known as Finn to his friends, had been living with his father in a £1million flat in Maida Vale when he died.  Mr Sullivan described his son as a 'middle-class kid with long hair'. 'This is the worst tragedy I could ever imagine,' he said.  'He's my only son… I had him when I was 45. He can never be replaced.' Finbar's grandfather Michael Seresin is a celebrated cinematographer who worked on Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban.  He also worked on the film adaptation of Angela's Ashes and in 1987's Angel Heart which featured Robert De Niro and Mickey Rourke.  The 21-year-old followed his family into the arts, primarily producing music videos for drill rap artists under the name Sully Shot It. Sorry we are not currently accepting comments on this article.