Lambeth Borough are launching a new anti gang hotline (hotline - 0208 721 3508) today (18/6/08). The number has been set-up to allow members of the public to call to give information on gangs. It is also designed for gang members who wish to change their lifestyle to call. They will work with their partners to help individuals who call the hotline. Information will be dealt with in the strictest confidence and will be handled in a sensitive manner. Lambeth Police have this morning (18.6.08) conducted an operation targeting a criminal network selling crack cocaine and heroin. The pro-active intelligence led operation has this morning arrested three males aged 16- 18, [A-C], who were arrested in the early hours in the Southwyck House area. Subsequently 13 search warrants were executed at thirteen addresses across the Lambeth area and a further 6 people arrested. During the searches a £1000 in cash was seized along with a significant amount of crack cocaine.
The network had been operating from the concierge area of Southwyck House, near to Brixton town centre, selling drugs from midnight through to the early hours of the morning. As well as drug dealing the group are associated with knife crime, street robberies and violence, including knife crime. As well as being involved in criminality, many of the drug users who came to the area to buy from the gang are involved in street robbery, burglary and car crime, Up to 150 people would come from across south London to buy drugs from the network. Residents will not just notice police activity in the area this morning as part of strategy of the operation, code named Totalise, is to stop the area being repopulated with criminals. This is a joint operation with the support of the Safer Lambeth Partnership who are working with police to make improve the local environment for the residents.
To prevent this a large high visibility presence of officers will remain in the area for a prolonged period of time. A mobile police station will be deployed from Friday in the area and the local safer Neighbourhoods team will be available to answer questions, as well as delivering leaflets to all households. Prior to the activity this morning police had arrested more than 30 people on a range of offences including possession of drugs, robbery and assault. Stolen vehicles have been recovered during sweeps of the area by police. The operation involved officers from Lambeth Borough, the TSG, the dog unit and the air support team, and is supported by operations Blunt2 and Alliance.
Lambeth Borough Commander, Chief Superintendent Sharon Rowe, said:
"This morning's activity is the result of Lambeth Police listening to the complaints of residents and joining it up with our intelligence to target a network of criminals bringing significant harm to the local community. Drug dealing brings a number of other negative features with it, that impact heavily on local communities. By tackling those dealing the drugs we can have an impact on other types of crime that make people feel unsafe. This is because users will commit crimes such as street robberies and burglaries to feed their habit.
We have put in place a robust investigation targeting this network so that today's activity will mean a better safer environment for the vast majority of law abiding residents who live hear. To ensure this remains the case we will focus our efforts over the coming weeks on not allowing drug dealers and users a way back in."

Teenager sented to 21 years for shooting in Brixton
Began firing at the group .... then rode off at speed

A 17 y/o male has today [6.6.08] been sentenced to life imprisonment, to serve a minimum of 21 years, for the murder of Nathan Foster, who was shot six times in Brixton last year. Junior Ashley GLASGOW [28.7.90 - 17 ys] of Angus House SW2 was found guilty following a trial at the Central Criminal Court. He was sentenced today at the Central Criminal Court. Nathan FOSTER (18y/o) had been out with friends on the evening 3 August 2007.
Nathan and his friends regularly hung around the Marcus Garvey Way and Somerleyton Rd and that evening had gathered. During the course of the evening Glasgow rode into Marcus Garvey Way and became involved in an argument with one of Nathan's friends. During the course of the argument, in which Nathan was not involved, Glasgow had his bike chain pulled off. Glasgow rode off without his chain and shortly after Nathan's friend went home. Nathan and about eight others stayed and chatted.
At around 22.10 Glasgow returned and rode past the group of friends slowly. Aware of what had happened earlier some of the group were concerned, especially as Glasgow had removed the number plate from his scooter and was wearing gloves. He also had a heavy object in the front pocket of his top. Despite being told that the youth who took his chain had left Glasgow pulled a black handgun from his pocket. Not believing he was in danger as he was not involved in the earlier incident, Nathan remained sitting on a wall. Glasgow then began firing at the group. It is believed that seven shots were fired in total. Nathan was hit six times, with one shot piercing his heart. Glasgow then rode off at speed. Nathan was taken to Kings College Hospital where he was pronounced dead at 22.57hrs. Glasgow was arrested by armed officers in Cambridge on the 8 August after a quick and positive response from the local community identified him as the murderer.
Detective Chief Inspector Adnan Qureshi, from Trident and who lead the investigation, said:
"My team and I are pleased for Nathan's family that his killer has been brought to justice and given a substantial sentence. This is an absolutely tragic case. Nathan had recently become a father and was giving something back to his community by working part time as a youth worker. I hope this conviction and the sentence given helps send a message to the community. In this trial witnesses were granted special measures that protected their identity. The measures that helped bring Nathan's family justice included voice distortion, use of fake names and giving evidence from behind a curtain. These measures gave eye witnesses the confidence to give evidence to take a killer off the streets. There are other murders Trident is investigating where we know people saw who is responsible. I would ask those people to look at the courage shown in this case and inspire them to loosen the fear the gunmen hold over their community and take a killer off the streets."

Grace – missing in South London
The abilities of a child

Police are appealing for help in tracing a woman missing from her home in South London. Grace PETERS [1.2.63 - 45 ys] resides at the Harwood House rest home, 46 Thicket Road, Annerley, and was last seen when she left the address at 10.00 on Wed 28.5.08. Grace has learning difficulties and will appear to have the abilities of a child. She is black, about 5ft 1 tall, of medium build, with short Afro platted
hair. She wore a plain grey casual jacket, a plain white knitted jumper, a black plain T-shirt, and brown jeans. She may be carrying a black or grey handbag. She may have £5 with her but has no access to any other money.
PC Wally Halbert, of Bromley Police Station, said: "We are very concerned for Grace's welfare. She has never previously gone missing for this length of time. We believe that she has travelled across London yesterday and this morning on buses - to areas such as Oxford Circus, Croydon, Bromley, and Putney. Have you seen Grace - as a bus passenger or on the street?"
Anyone who can assist should call the Area Control Room on 01689-891212 or Bromley CID on 020-8284 8859; or the Missing People helpline on 0500 700 700.

Sentenced for gun murder in Catford
Bravery of several members of the public

Three people have today been found guilty of the murder of 24 y/o Warren Gray, shot in Catford in May 2007. Details are:
Michael Peters [24 ys] of Bellingham Rd SE6, sentenced to a minimum of 30 years imprisonment;
Sebastian Baptiste-Gomaz [23 ys] of no fixed address, sentenced to a minimum of 28 yrs.
Dean Clement [28 ys] of no fixed address, was also sentenced to a minimum of 28 yrs.
All three were also found guilty of possession of a firearm and sentenced to 12 years, to run concurrently.
Vanessa Brown, aged 25 y/o, from Doggett Road, SE6, was sentenced to two months imprisonment for perverting the course of justice.
A 25 y/o man was found not guilty of all charges.
It follows an investigation by the MPS specialist shooting team Operation Trident.
The court heard that on the afternoon he was killed, Warren had been visiting a friend who lived on the seventh floor of Milford Towers. He left the flat at about 19.00. An hour later he ran back into the flat with a bloody face, with two other men chasing him. He ran straight into his friend's bedroom and tried to close the door. The two men forced the door open a short distance and pushed a shotgun through, shooting twice. Warren was hit in the upper body and died at the scene. As they left the scene the two assailants and two other men discarded a number of items, including the gun. This was found dumped in a rubbish bin on nearby Wildfell Road. A carrier bag containing four shotgun cartridges was also recovered with Clement's and Baptiste-Gomaz's fingerprints on it. A plastic bag with Warren's blood on it also had Clement's and Peter's fingerprints. It is believed that Warren Grey was shot because Peters believed he had raped his girlfriend.
Detective Inspector Jim Gerty, of Operation Trident, said:
"This was clearly a co-ordinated plan to murder Warren, with the four men meeting earlier in the afternoon to finalise the plans. Though the case had a basis of strong forensic evidence it still required the bravery of several members of the public to give eye witness evidence. Once again Trident has utilised special measures available in courts to protect those people. This has meant they have given their evidence anonymously and then returned back to the community."

Shooting in Camden
Wound to the head

Police were called at approximately 23:00 on Saturday 24/5/08 to reports of a male shot in Gilbeys Yard, off Oval Road, Camden NW1.London Ambulance Service took the male - aged 17ys - to a North London hospital, where he is in a critical condition having suffered a gunshot wound to the head. Trident officers are investigating.
An incident room has opened at West Hendon. Anyone who witnessed the shooting or has information that may assist the inquiry should call Trident on 020 8733 4640. To remain anonymous, call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Fatal fall in Blackheath
“Much loved sister and daughter”

The family of the young woman who died in Coleraine Road, Blackheath, on Saturday have today spoken about their loss. The family of Rosimeiri Boxall today made the following statement:
“The loss of Rosimeiri, a much loved sister and daughter, has left a void in this close-knit family that cannot be filled. Rosi was adopted but she was our daughter and sister. She was a loving, caring person who brought frequently-remembered times of fun and laughter to the family and who was much loved by her three nieces. More than just a daughter and sister, she was also a great friend who will always be missed. We appreciate everything the police are doing in investigating this tragic incident and we would appreciate if our privacy could be respected at this time.”
Police were called at approximately 18:30 hrs on Saturday 17.05.08 to reports of a woman injured after apparently falling from a third floor window in Coleraine Road, SE3. The 19-year-old was found beneath an open window and had suffered serious injuries. She was taken by London Ambulance Service to Queen Elizabeth Hospital but was pronounced dead at 19:21 hrs. She was Rosimeiri Boxall [05.12.88 - 19 yrs] of Thamesmead. A post mortem gave the cause of death as internal injuries. An incident room has opened at Lewisham under officers from Homicide and Serious Crime Command.
Police are asking anyone who was in the vicinity of 105 Coleraine Road at around 18.30 hrs on Saturday to call the Incident Room on 020 8721 4961; if you wish to remain anonymous please call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
+ Two female teenagers [A - 17 yrs; B - 13 yrs] were arrested in connection with the enquiry and were taken to a south London police station. They were later bailed to return in June pending further inquiries.

Sentenced for armed robberies in Hammersmith
Thought was a vulnerable venue

Two men were sentenced on Friday 9.5.08 at Kingston Crown Court to a total of sixteen years for two armed robberies, both carried out at an amusement premises in Hammersmith. The robberies took place in between December 2006 and January 2007, with the robbers stealing over £3,000 in cash. The defendants were prosecuted at Kingston Crown Court where they pleaded guilty to all charges.
Sharif NICHOLLS, DoB 29.04.1986, 22 years, unemployed of Charles Barry Close, Cubitt Terrace, Clapham, London, SW4, pleaded guilty to two counts of robbery and two counts of possession of a firearm. He was sentenced to eleven years imprisonment.
Daryl MCFARLANE, DoB 20.04.1986, 22 years, unemployed of Tooting Grove, London, SW17, pleaded guilty to one count of robbery and one count of possession of a firearm. He was sentenced to five years imprisonment.
On the 14th December 2006, Shariff NICHOLLS and a second man attended Agora Amusements, SW6, and threatened the manager by holding a firearm to his head in order to gain access to the cash. On this occasion the robbers stole £2,500. On the 6th January 2007, Shariff NICHOLLS and Daryl MCFARLANE attended the same premises in possession of an 8mm semi-automatic handgun loaded with 8mm rounds. NICHOLLS and MCFARLANE were caught on CCTV walking past and assessing the premises several times prior to entering the building with balaclavas. Once inside, the robbers threatened the manager with a gun and physical force to gain the victim's full cooperation. This time, the robbers left with £758.
Detective Constable Dan Williams of the Met Police's Flying Squad, said; "These criminals deliberately targeted what they thought was a vulnerable venue, attempting to steal large amounts of cash, purely to fund their favoured lifestyle. They showed no remorse for the brutal way they treated their victims and today's sentencing reflects the seriousness of this offence. I hope it sends a message out to others that this kind of behaviour will not be tolerated."

Life sentences for schoolboy murder in Hammersmith
A serious assault with various weapons

Two teenagers have been given life sentences for the murder of a schoolboy. They were part of a gang which chased 16-year-old Kodjo Yenga shouting "kill him, kill him". Kodjo was left dying in his girlfriend's arms after being stabbed in the heart in Hammersmith, West London, in March, last year. He had been ambushed by about a dozen youngsters, including two girls, who armed themselves with knives, bats and even a bull terrier. As horrified passers-by tried to help, the gang, some of them in their school uniforms, ran away laughing.
Judge Christopher Moss ordered that Tirrell Davis, 17, and Brandon Richmond, 14, should be detained during Her Majesty's Pleasure. He told the Old Bailey they should serve a minimum term of 15 years. Three other youths, Yemoh Kurtis, 17, Jamel Bridgeman and Michel Williams, both 15, were given 10 years' detention with five years on extended licence after their release. The five, who had denied killing Kodjo, are all from Hammersmith and Shepherds Bush, west London.
Kodjo went into the area after being challenged to a fight by one youth - and was then ambushed by others. The attackers were young members of the MDP - a local gang. A trademark of the MDP is to attack boys who are not part of the gang by suggesting a one-to-one fight outside their local area, culminating in a "serious assault with various weapons", according to the prosecution.

Life sentences for schoolboy murder in Leytonstone
Victim was in the wrong place at the wrong time

Three teenage gang members have been given life sentences for murdering an innocent 14-year-old boy to "earn their spurs". Paul Erhahon was stabbed in the heart with a 7in sword after straying into the path of a group of thugs near his home in Leytonstone, east London. The schoolboy and aspiring DJ was in the wrong place at the wrong time when the heavily-armed youths set upon him. An Old Bailey jury heard how he cried out "you can't be shanking (stabbing) me" as he was attacked by the 17-strong gang.
Paul Benfield, 16, and Kevin Adu-Marcet, 15, were both given life detention sentences with a minimum term of 13 years after being convicted of murder at the Old Bailey. The third boy convicted of murder, Jordan Conn, 15, was given life with a minimum term of 11 years. Nathan Desnoes, 16, who was found guilty of manslaughter, was given an extended detention sentence of 12 years, which includes a custodial term of eight years. A fifth defendant, Theo Diah, 19, was given an indeterminate sentence with a minimum term of seven years. He had also been found guilty of manslaughter. During the attack, members of the group as young as 13 were urged on by others, who were themselves just a few years older, shouting: "Go on youngers." Many wore hoods and masks, and were armed with baseball bats, knives, swords and a bicycle chain. Sentencing Paul's killers, Mr Justice Keith told them that they had gone around the streets "hunting in packs". Jonathan Turner QC, prosecuting, said: "Such gangs, mainly comprised of upper-teenagers or young men in their early 20s, often have younger acolytes who look up to them and earn their spurs by doing the bidding of their elders."

Commissioner’s tribute to Gloria Taylor
Unshakeable faith the truth would be known

Metropolitan Police Service Commissioner Sir Ian Blair said he was deeply saddened to hear of Gloria Taylor's death. He said: 'I'm sure that, like me, many people were moved by the dignified and impressive way that Gloria and Richard Taylor dealt with the tragedy of Damilola's terrible death and the high profile inquiries that followed it. I know that their fortitude throughout the three criminal trials, together with their almost unshakeable faith that the truth would be known, was a great comfort and inspiration to the MPS officers and staff who worked so hard on the investigations. My thoughts and those of many, many Met colleagues will be with Richard and his family at this difficult time.'

Six males found guilty of murder of 14 year-old Paul Erhahon
Senseless act of gratuitous vioplence

Six males were today (9.4.08) found guilty of offences relating to the murder of 14-year-old Paul Erhahon in E11 on 6/4/07 and the wounding of a 15 y/o boy.
They are:
A 16 y/o male youth found guilty of the murder of Paul and the attempted murder of victim 2 ('E').
A 14 y/o male youth found guilty of the murder of Paul and the attempted murder of victim 2 ('A').
A 15 y/o male youth found guilty of the murder of Paul (not guilty of the attempted murder of victim 2 and the attempted murder of victim 2 ('D').
A 16 y/o male youth found guilty of the manslaughter of Paul and guilty of wounding with intent of victim 2 ('F').
Another defendant 18 yrs (dob 6/1/90), of Melon Road, E11 was found guilty of the attempted murder of victim 2 (not guilty of the murder or manslaughter of Paul ('G').
A further defendant19 yrs (dob 26/10/88), unemployed of Anglian Rd, E11 was found guilty of the manslaughter of Paul and guilty of the attempted murder of victim 2 ('H').
A 14 y/o male youth found not guilty on all counts ('J').
Sentencing will take place on 9.5.08 at Central Criminal Court.
Investigating officer DI Mick Foote, from the Homicide and Serious Crime Command, said: "We are pleased with the verdict and our hearts go out to the Erhahon family for their tragic loss. We hope this verdict in some way provides comfort to both families for their ordeal.
This was a senseless act of gratuitous violence. Paul and his friend had done nothing to provoke the defendants, giving them no reason to attack in this shocking manner. We still don't have a clear idea of why this happened but it's believed it began because the leader of the group wanted to rob Paul. Some of the defendants knew the victims and when one called Paul over and he refused to move, it may have been sparked what followed. But essentially we believe this was an opportunist crime and Paul and his friend were in the wrong place at the wrong time.
Afterwards the defendants went to the local park where they talked about what they had done while laughing and joking. Today's convictions are justly deserved and I hope it demonstrates that the MPS will take firm and decisive action against crimes of this nature. It also shows that the courts will not tolerate this behaviour - if you're in a gang which sets out to cause harm you will collectively be convicted of murder regardless of whether you struck the fatal blow.
I also want to thank those who were witnesses in this case for their courage in coming forward and giving evidence in such difficult circumstances. This reinforces the role that the public play in assisting the police and our partner agencies in combating violent crime."
Emergency services were called at about 19.55 on 6/4/07 to Crownfield Rd, E15 to reports of two youths suffering serious stab injuries. They were taken to Whipps Cross Hospital where Paul Erhahon, aged 14, of Buttermere Close, E15, was pronounced dead. A post-mortem examination gave cause of death as a stab wound to the heart. The second victim, aged 15, was stabbed five times but later recovered from his injuries.
The court heard that just before 20:00 on that day Paul and his friend were together just outside the entrance to Gean Court, a block of flats in Langthorne Rd E11. They were on their way to a shop but Paul's friend had stopped briefly to talk to some other friends in the area. Paul's friend then noticed four males, some of whom he recognised, approaching them down Victoria Rd. They were carrying baseball bats and wearing hoods or masks. One, ('E'), called to Paul to come over; when he didn't he began to threaten him. The same suspect then appeared to receive or make a mobile call. Immediately other members of the group began to attack Paul. Another group of males began to run towards the altercation and joined in attacking Paul, pushing him into the foyer area of the block of flats. Paul was heard saying: "You can't be shanking me; you can't be stabbing me". He was seen on the floor being punched, kicked and assaulted with weapons including baseball bats, knives, a heavy chain and what is thought to be a samurai sword before he managed to run off and then collapse in Crownfield Rd a short distance from his home.
The group then turned their attention to Paul's friend. He was stabbed by three of the suspects and five times in total - in the back, stomach, abdomen and twice in the leg. One blow pierced his left lung and almost killed him. He was also hit with baseball bats and a heavy chain. The attack ended when all the suspects ran off towards Langthorne Park where they talked and joked about what they had done. Paul's friend was taken to Whipps Cross by his brother. He was in a critical condition and underwent emergency surgery. He has now recovered from his injuries but still suffers nightmares about what happened.
'A' was arrested on 7/4/08, 'D' on 9/4/07, 'E' and 'F' on 11/4/07, 'G' on 12/4/07, 'H' on 17/4/07 and 'J' on 18/4/07. When 'A' was arrested and his home searched a knife (not the murder weapon) was found under his pillow. At the house of 'G', five metal poles and two knives were found under his bed as well as a baseball bat elsewhere in the property. At the homes of all the defendants graffiti or drawings were found with tags and street names. The court heard that the suspects belonged to a group called the 'Cathall Boys' or 'E11'.

“I have been asked to say a few words of behalf of Paul’s family. They are relieved that this trial is over and that the jury have come to the right decision, however they still have a sense of loss and emptiness since Paul's death. Paul was a loving son who had a contagious smile and the laugh to go with it. Paul's 16th birthday would be on 28th May, however his family will no longer be able to celebrate this or any other birthday, nor see him marry or bless the family with children. After Paul was stabbed he tried to make it home, where he would be safe, secure and with his family, but Paul knew he was dying and was not going to make it.
Paul's mother found him lying in a pool of blood in a neighbouring street a few yards from home. His mother gave him first aid, but feeling helpless as his life ebbed away, she cradled him in her arms."

Statement by Paul Erhahon’s father.
“I am Paul's father, Paul Aizeyosabo Erhahon Jnr was born on the 28th May 1992, our first child and only son. His mom called him Aize, his sisters and I called him Jnr. At 14 years and 11 months and 6 days, Junior was over 6 feet tall, handsome and very musically talented. He loved and was doing very well at school; French and Mathematics were his favourite subjects. He would have been taking his GCSE exams in June. As much as he loved music and basketball he aspired to be a stockbroker and we often talked about how he was going to achieve this by working hard at school. I always told him "Son you can be anything you want to be as long as you worked hard at what ever you set your heart to become" but he has not been given that chance. Junior's smile was contagious and he had a laugh to go with it. To have known Junior was to love him. April 6, 2007 was the darkest day our family has ever experienced. People who have been nurtured to live outside the realms of a decent and law abiding society murdered my son. How does one begin to explain the depth of pain they have unleashed on my family and me. My life ended the day Junior was murdered; all I feel is just a sense of despair and emptiness. I still cannot believe he is gone.
I pray constantly for God and Junior to get me through the day. I cannot fathom a life without him. When I allow my thoughts to drift into the future all I can see are family gatherings where Junior is not present. I will never have the chance to show him how to drive. I will never be able to teach him to shave. There will be school, college, and University graduations that I will never accompany him to, grandchildren I will never get to hold - endless events I looked forward to which will never materialise. Aside from the endless agony I feel, other things have crept into my life. Months of missed work where I could not find the will or way to go on. Where once stood a voracious appetite now stands a struggle to give my body the sustenance it needs just to survive.
I have a lack of interest in the things I once so much cherished. Such as reading a good book, watching a movie, the appreciation of colourful flowers blooming and beautiful birds singing, spending time with family and friends - all of these events now seem so meaningless and unfulfilling. I cannot concentrate and am endlessly lost without notes to myself and other people to remind me of the things I have to do.
I miss my son every waking second of every day. I miss his mischievous smile and the son and fatherly things we did. His dancing, going to the park to play basketball, sitting round the dining table discussing his day with his sisters, helping him with his homework or him helping his siblings. Junior playing rough and tumble with his sisters.
The pain of Junior's murder is unlike anything I have ever experienced and unlike anything I could have ever imagined. I feel as though the guilty boys have ripped out my heart with their bare hands and torn it very slowly into pieces. Witnessing the pain that our families and friends are also suffering only adds to my own. The ripples of devastation they have caused continue to affect not just us, but also Junior's friends and the residents of Buttermere Close and its environs, where we used to live. His loss is an open wound that will never heal. I will never get over it.
The attack they carried out on Junior was cowardly and barbaric, they showed him no mercy and have shown absolutely no remorse since. They have made the experience even more agonising by refusing to face up and to admit to their crime and by dragging me, our families and friends through a full trial. Junior did his best to make it home that night and he nearly made it. Cradling him in his final moments in our arms, he passed on, as his mom and I desperately try to resuscitate him, it comforts me to know that as he passed on from this world he was absolutely safe and secure in the knowledge that we were there and it just would not be possible for me to love him any more than I do and will for ever.
No sentence can be enough for us. They were in total command of what they did that day; they killed our son in cold blood. We do not seek or ask for vengeance as that is left for God. The pain and hurt that we as a family carry will be with us for life. It is a sentence that has no remission. The love of family and friends surrounds us, and God has worked through them. A friend has given me a book of writings for people who have suffered loss. Among them was the saying, "All the darkness in the world cannot extinguish the light of a single candle". Those words helped us. We know Junior is in heaven until we join him.
God bless you all."

Statement by Paul’s mother:
Aize's mother Rita has written the following words: "My son Paul 'Aize' Erhahon Jnr. On the 6th April 2007, life as I knew it was changed forever. I lost one of the most precious things in my world to me, my son Aize. I cannot recall life before being a mother. It most often seems that my own life began on May 28th 1992,on the day that he was born…and that it changed forever on 6th April 2007.When these people murdered my son, they robbed us of not only our son, but of our family life. Aize deserved the right to live his life. To grow up into a handsome man, to love, to succeed, to fail; and to get back up again just like all the rest of us, to marry and bless me with grandchildren. It makes no sense to me that these seven boys thought that they could go out and kill an innocent boy without any provocation whatsoever.
I had the right to watch my son grow up. To see him mature and realise his potential. His sisters had the rights to share secrets with him, tease him and ask him for advice and guidance. His uncles and aunties had the right to have him at Christmas dinners, birthdays and family gathering and his grandparents had the right to see themselves in him.
Aize was a loving, caring and giving young boy with a heart as big as the world. To know Aize was to love him, he was a friend to everyone he met. He was sensitive and compassionate to other people, and very intelligent also. He taught me fractions (Maths) and always assisted his sisters with their homework. I miss that a lot.
Because of these boys, none of us will get to do those things. Instead, we've each been given a lifetime sentence of loss and sadness. Each of us in our own way will learn to live with those emotions, of course. But I don't think anything will ever completely take them away.
My son fell and died opposite where I worked and near to our home. This made going back to the area and continuing to live there torturous and impossible. I have had to leave my home of 8 years and try to start a new life all over again.
We are a Christian family, and the Easter period is very important to us, it symbolizes the time our LORD JESUS CHRIST died, was buried and rose from the dead, and it's a time where Christians all over the world remember the importance of the blood of JESUS. Aize was murdered on GOOD FRIDAY. Because of his death, we can never celebrate that occasion again in our lives. Our wedding anniversary is also on the 22nd April, because of his death in April, we can never find joy in the month that meant so much for us.
Words seem trite when describing what follows when my only son is murdered ---- stripped from my life. I can, however, give you some idea of what I went through:
It's about looking out my bedroom window and seeing one of Aize's friends looking over his shoulder and knocking at my door to say that Aize has been attacked by the these people and is lying on the ground at the junction of my house. It's about running over to see him lying down and covered in a pool of blood. I have never seen so much blood in my entire life.
It's about calling for someone to help me and praying to God to save his life.
It's about breathing into his mouth and hearing the guzzling noise of blood in his stomach. Till today, I can never get that noise out of my head.
It's about seeing a single tear roll out of his right eye and feeling helpless, not knowing if he was in pain or not.
It's about covering him with a blanket because he was getting cold and I wanted to keep him warm.
It's about watching my son die right in front of my very own eyes.
It's about watching the ambulance come and take him away from me, and telling me to meet them at the hospital.
It's about arriving at the hospital and waiting and praying that God will keep him alive.
It's about seeing the surgeon coming out of the room and telling me that he was sorry.
It's about the denial and screaming at him and asking him to get back in there and wake my son up for me to take him home.
It's about asking them to bring my son out for me to see him and truly believe that he was really dead.
It's about going home and telling my daughters that their brother was dead.
It's about having to have a closed casket service.
It's about seeing so many sad people, knowing that they too are mourning our son's loss.
It's about a church service where over 700 people attended, young and old, black and white, rich and poor.
It's about a priest, who was stunned by the amount of people mourning the loss of a 14 year old young boy, my son Aize and reminding us all that Aize's death was not God's will, but an act of violence.
It's about his birthday coming just five weeks later and he's not there. He would have been 15 years old. He was really looking forward to it and planned on going to the cinema with his friends.
It's about our first Christmas and first birthdays without Aize, and the sense of hopelessness and sadness.
On Mother's Day last year my son bought me a box of my favourite chocolates and a DVD film. This year he was not there. He was not able to shower me with gifts that a mother would cherish. I will no longer be able to hear "I love you so much mommy." and his heart warming hugs. But there is one thing for sure, and that is I will be with him again someday. I now have a very special guardian angel and believe that through him I will be able to live again.
Our home and neighbourhood, a place of refuge from the world that we have lived in for almost eight years has been invaded by violence and evil. These people need to take full responsibility for what they have done; they acted as a group to kill an innocent boy.
In 2007 26 teenagers were killed due to knife and gun crimes. I have always prayed that my children were not going to become a statistics, but these people made my son one. I watch television and listen to the news every time and see my son's picture or name flagged up and numbered as one of the teenagers killed in 2007 and it is a nightmare that never goes away.
These people showed no mercy to my son, whom I had only just waved goodbye to 20mins before he was attacked. They gathered around him and started beating him up. They showed no mercy, he was running home to his family, and they just fled from the scene and went to the park after their attacks on my son and his friend Stephen that they left for dead. Our family will forever be tormented by visions of what happened to our loved one, our son, brother and grandson. He was just an innocent boy caught in the wrong place and time."

Seventeen year-old stabbed in Stamford Hill
Became involved in an exchange

Police are appealing for witnesses and information following a murder in Stoke Newington. Officers were called at 10:11 on Thur. 27.3.08 to reports of a male being stabbed in the street in Stamford Hill, N16. Paramedics provided medical aid at the scene before the victim was taken to the Royal London Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
He was Devoe Roach [4/9/90 - 17 ys] from Stoke Newington. A post mortem today (28.3.08) at Poplar Mortuary gave cause of death as a stab wound to the heart. An incident room has opened at Barking under DCI Stephen Maher. At this early stage officers believe that Devoe had been walking with a friend along Stamford Hill when he became involved in an exchange with a suspect close to Olinda Road. The suspect stabbed Devoe in the chest before escaping along Olinda Road. The victim's friend was not injured.
DCI Maher said: "We are now appealing for anyone who may have been in the Stamford Hill area and witnessed this exchange between the victim and the suspect to come forward. We would also like to speak to anyone who saw the suspect as he ran from the scene."
The suspect is described as being of Asian or Turkish appearance, between 18 and 22 years, 5ft 7in - 5ft 10in tall and wearing a dark-coloured top, light-coloured bottoms and possibly a woolly hat.
Anyone who can assist is asked to contact the Incident Room on 020 8345 4137; if you wish to remain anonymous call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Murder of Jamie Simpson: £40,000 Reward for Information
Following the tragic death of Sales Manager Jamie Simpson at the Dalston store, Hackney, London on the evening of Saturday 22nd March, Matalan announces that it has authorised the publication of a reward of up to a sum of £40,000 for significant information leading to the arrest and prosecution of the person or persons responsible for the murder of Sales Manager Jamie Simpson. Should anyone have any information which may lead to the arrest and prosecution of the perpetrator or perpetrators of this terrible and violent crime, please contact the dedicated Metropolitan Police incident room on 020 8345 1585; or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
Alistair McGeorge, CEO of Matalan said:
"Jamie was a very talented and highly rated Sales Manager with a great future ahead of him at Matalan. He will be greatly missed within the business. Matalan is doing all it can to help the Police investigation and to ensure justice is secured for Jamie and his family."