Last words of shoolboy killed by 'lynch mob': 'Please call my mum'

A schoolboy who was beaten and stabbed to death by a mob of youths asked for his mother with his dying words.

It's emerged Ben Hitchcock, 16, had just been trying to gatecrash a house party before he was killed.

Ben, was one of several teenagers who tried to get into a ticket-only 13th birthday party on Saturday night, police said. Officers had to be called to turn them away.

Soon after, Ben, who was a member of a gang, was ambushed by up to 40 teenagers from a rival gang.

Witnesses said he was stabbed, battered to the ground and stamped on by dozens of hooded youths wearing gang colours, and armed with broken bottles, chains and knives.

Today, his mother described him as "the kindest, happiest and most loving boy that ever walked this earth".

Lee Hitchcock said her son would be missed "terribly" and she appealed for anyone with information to contact police.

Ben, from Penge, was killed in a fight involving up to 40 youths in Southend Road, Beckenham, shortly before midnight on Saturday.

He was taken to Lewisham Hospital by ambulance where he was pronounced dead. A post mortem found he died of a single stab wound to the abdomen.

In a statement released by police, Ms Hitchcock said: "My son was loved very much by his family and many friends. We will miss him terribly, more than anything in the world. Ben was the kindest, happiest and most loving boy that ever walked this earth.

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Ben Hitchcock, pictured bottom left, with his school friends

"He was 16 and had just finished his exams at school. He had the rest of his life before him. I appeal to anyone who knows who killed my Ben to get in touch with the police. We must know the truth about what happened.î

The teenager managed to stagger to his feet but was punched towards an iron spiked railing in Beckenham, Kent, on to which he fell.

Ben was taken to Lewisham Hospital in South-East London by ambulance but later died.

Friends paid tribute to him on the Internet yesterday.

The teenager, who lived in nearby Penge, was part of a gang calling itself the Penge Block Gang, which has 80 members. He used the nickname Swipe and posed in "gangsta" style pictures with friends for fun.

Many of these were put on an online shrine yesterday. An album of pictures of Ben were posted on the social networking website Bebo, under the title Our Fallen Soldier.

In several of the pictures he is seen holding his hand into the shape of a gun. In one he wears a hooded top and appears to have "Penge" written on his forearm.

Simon Maluwe, 17, from Penge, wrote: "Our nigga, RIP Swipe."

Another friend called Maddiee added: "RIP Ben, we will never forget you. I'm feeling for your two little brothers right now. I know how much they loved you."

A film tribute to the teenager was also posted on the videosharing website YouTube. Set to a soundtrack of The Good Die Young, by the boy's hip hop favourites D12, the film opens with images of Ben on his last day at secondary school, his school shirt covered with signatures from friends.

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Images from YouTube mourning the death of Ben Hitchcock

A photograph on the site shows Ben being embraced by black classmates. A caption reads: "Sadly missed by so many, rest in peace Ben, gone but not forgotten."

Friends said the teenager wanted to study construction at college.

Casandra Richards, 16, told how teenagers invaded Saturday's celebration for her 13-year-old sister Tashari at the family home.

"There were people jumping through the door, pushing. They were fighting and swearing."

Her mother's boyfriend, a security guard, forced them out of the house, she said, but many of the 13-year-old guests were sobbing in fear.

Detective Superintendent Simon Morgan, of the Metropolitan Police, said: "Approximately six boys were barred from entering a party.

"Police were called and the group outside were asked to leave. Shortly afterwards, the party ended.

"That group, including the victim, left the party and subsequently got into a full-blown fight with tragic results."

It was not clear whether any of the attackers were at the party, he said.

Fourteen youngsters aged between 13 and 16 have been arrested and released on police bail.

Ben's mother, Lee Hitchcock, said: 'My son was loved very much by his family and friends.

"We will miss him terribly, more than anything in the world. Ben was the kindest, happiest and most loving boy.

"He was 16 and had just finished his exams at school. He had the rest of his life before him.

"I appeal to anyone who knows who killed my Ben to get in touch with the police. We must know the truth about what happened."