'Lay down your knives', star's plea over stabbed brother

Brooke Kinsella, 24, made an emotional appeal after her 16-year-old brother, a class prefect and model pupil, became the latest victim of London's knife culture while out celebrating the end of his GCSEs.

Referring to the 17 young people to have died violently in the capital this year, 12 of them stabbing victims, she said: "Now it truly is the time to stand up and put an end to this."

The former EastEnders star, accompanied by her parents and two sisters, added: "We tragically lost not only a beautiful son and brother but a true angel.

"Although it is in the worst possible circumstances, hopefully he will be the one to put an end to this. My family are determined to fight in his memory to make the streets safe for our children. Please boys and girls, put down your knives and weapons and think about the pain and suffering they will cause."

Ben was knifed four times in the neck and chest, possibly by four different attackers, at about 2am yesterday after an endof-term party turned to violence outside Shillibeers bar in Islington.

The clash came after an earlier disturbance in the pub involving some of Ben's friends. One witness said there was a fight outside the bar between black and white youths in which Ben was singled out after being mistaken for one of the boys from the earlier incident.

Miss Kinsella, accompanied by her mother Deborah, 46, father George, 48, a taxi driver, and sisters Jade, 22, and Georgia, 14, said: "Parents, please talk to your children and encourage them to stop all this violence.

"Please can we waste no more time and come together as a country to ensure that no other lives are wasted. He had a heart of gold and the love and joy he gave to everyone is proven by the vast number of people who have sent their condolences and prayers."

Detective Superintendent Vic Rae said said the suspects were believed to be four black youths around 17 or 18.

He said his officers believed that a disturbance inside the bar spilled outside into the street, culminating in the stabbing in York Way near the junction with North Road.

Ben made a phone call to a friend as he was being chased. The friend said he heard Ben pleading "help me, help me" before the phone went dead. Another friend heard someone shout "Get him".

A "straight A student", Ben was also an aspiring actor who had appeared in The Bill. The spot where he died was today covered with bouquets and balloons. His family live in a £1.2million house nearby.

Ben and classmates from Holloway School went to Shillibeers bar in Carpenters Mews to meet a group of girls on Saturday night. Despite the venue being for over-18s only, they were allowed in, but not before trouble flared following an argument with a group of four other youths who were refused entry.

One girl, who went to Holloway School with Ben, said the group who were not allowed in had waited outside the bar after everyone spilled on to the street at closing time.

She told the Standard: "All the lads were meant to meet at Shillibeers for a quick drink. These other boys were saying, 'Get us in, get us in' but they got refused, while Ben and everyone went inside.

When the party was over everyone came out to get more drinks from the offlicence but it was closed. As they walked back up the road the youths were still there. That's when it kicked off and escalated."

Close friend David Dugdale told how Ben called him as he was being chased. He said: "He just said, 'Help me, help me', then the phone went dead. He sounded petrified." Another friend told of the moment Ben was stabbed. He said: "Ben had run away but he was chased. I heard someone shout 'Get him, get him', then he was stabbed. There was blood everywhere. There was nothing I could do."

Police say there were around 50 people milling around in the street outside the pub but the fight itself involved far fewer people.

A friend who had been in Shillibeers when the fight broke out said Ben was stabbed in a case of mistaken identity. The 18-year-old, who did not want to be named, said: "There was a big fight which came out of Shillibeers and went all the way up the street.

"People were getting smashed with glasses - it was a fight between white and black boys - that's what it's like around here now.

"They chased the wrong person. They just went up to him and stabbed him - maybe because they saw him in the pub earlier and thought he was with the group they were fighting."

One of Ben's best friend, who asked not to be named, said today: "He was never in trouble - he would be the one to stop the trouble. He was a straight A student."

A keen Arsenal fan, Ben excelled in art, design and drama. He followed his sister to the Young Actors Theatre in Barnsbury.

Bob Hamlyn, head teacher at Holloway School, said: "Ben was very bright, popular and had a lot going for him. I just want this knife violence to stop for everyone's sake."

Two 16-year-old youths were arrested near the scene and released on police bail. Detectives today appealed for witnesses to contact them on 020 8345 3985 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.