We are still living in fear, says mother of murdered model Danielle

Danielle Johnson, 17, was stabbed and beaten to death in a daylight attack last May having endured years of abuse by teenage gangs.

The hairdressing and beauty student from Chingford was killed as she walked to a friend's house in Palmerston Road, Bounds Green. She spent two weeks in a coma after emergency surgery for brain and lung injuries before she died. Marc King-Bromley, 17, yesterday admitted at the Old Bailey murdering the student, who was so badly beaten her mother, Jan Johnson, could only recognise her from a distinguishing mark on her wrist. Mrs Johnson had petitioned Waltham Forest Council to move the family after Danielle was beaten and mugged 20 times, and was due to visit a new property the day after the fatal attack. Her daughter had been forced to move to temporary housing in Tottenham because of the extent of the attacks a month before her death.

Today Mrs Johnson said the family - including her two young sons Renelle, six and Tyrelle, two - were still suffering a campaign of harassment from those connected to King-Bromley.

She said: "We are still here and this person has friends and gang members who know where we live and I don't feel safe here.

"Every time the court case was coming up her grave was attacked, flowers burnt.

"After her death, Danielle's room was burgled and all her personal things were taken. No one took responsibility.

"We were on a priority housing list because of her suffering for more than three years. The police said they could not protect her. I am very angry with the council - they were never interested.

"Even now cars pull up outside and then speed off whenever I open the door. Most of the time I don't even sleep upstairs now. Whenever Renelle hears anything outside he screams. He does not understand. He keeps saying Danielle has been gone a long time and should be coming back.

"We are all in counselling. My partner Pat has left after 14 years because of the pressure and stress of everything."

A post mortem examination revealed Danielle died from a stab wound to the chest and a head injury from the attack near the busy North Circular road on a bank holiday Monday.

Mrs Johnson said the family had been "destroyed" by the 17-year-old's murder, and knowing that her daughter's killer had been caught still did not give her comfort.

"They have got the right person but there is not going to be any justice.

"Danielle was my only daughter. When he (King-Bromley) killed her he took the soul of our family.

"Danielle did not have a chance to vote, take her driving test, get married or have children. She had so much going for her.

"He will be out in his twenties and have his whole life ahead of him.

"He is a monster. He stood in the dock winking and blowing kisses to Danielle's friends. He did not care at all.

"It is just sickening. I will never forgive him. If there was an electric chair I would be there pulling the lever. Danielle's life is over. Our life is over. We will suffer forever."

King-Bromley will be sentenced on 11 April.