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Anguish of stabbed teenager's mother
Rob Singh, Evening Standard10 Apr 2008
The parents of a 14-year-old boy killed by a teenage gang spoke for the first time today about the harrowing final moments of his life as he lay dying in their arms.
Rita and Paul Erhahon told how they rushed down the street to find their son in a pool of blood and prayed for someone to save him.
The family spoke after five teenagers were found guilty of killing Paul, a model pupil and aspiring stockbroker.
Paul, who they called Aize - a shortened version of his middle name Aizeyosabo - was stabbed in the heart with a seven-inch sword by members of a 17-strong gang in the foyer of Gean Court, a block of flats in Langthorne Road, Leytonstone.
The Old Bailey heard that he made a "superhuman effort" to flee from the attack on him and his 15-year-old friend.
Paul's friend, who cannot be named because of his age, was also stabbed after he tried to come to Paul's rescue. He managed to get away from the gang, and reach his home where his brother drove him to hospital in a critical condition.
Mrs Erhahon, her husband, also called Paul, and Aize's two younger sisters, have since moved from their home, yards from the murder scene.
Mrs Erhahon said: "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.
"Until 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 feelinghelpless, not knowing if he was in pain or not.
She continued: "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."
The gang were members of the Cathall Boys, named after a nearby estate. Those who attacked Paul on Good Friday last April were as young as 13 and were urged on by others, who were themselves only a few years older.
The "youngers" of the gang were encouraged to kill in order to "earn their spurs", the Old Bailey heard.
Many wore hoods and masks, and were armed with baseball bats, knives, swords and a bicycle chain.
Paul was heard to say, "You can't be shanking (stabbing) me", but one of the gang members called out: "Go on youngers."
Paul was one of 27 teenagers murderedin London last year. He was one of three victims who went to Kingsford Community School in Beckton. The others were Stephen Boachie, 17, and Adam Regis, 15.
The year before, Paul had been stabbed by bullies and his parents had moved him to Kingsford, hoping for a fresh start for him.
Mrs Erhahon added: "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."
The deeply religious Christians said they would never celebrate Good Friday again nor their wedding anniversary which is a few weeks later.
His father added: "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."
Three boys were convicted of murder and two of manslaughter following a three-month Old Bailey trial. The five, now aged 14 to 19, cannot be named for legal reasons.
Four were also convicted of attempted murder and another of wounding with intent. Sentencing was adjourned until 9 May.
Police praised young witnesses who came forward to give evidence. Special measures were used to hide their identities.
The guilty verdicts come just a day after five members of another gang, aged 14 to 17, were convicted of killing Kodjo Yenga, 16, in Hammersmith.
Reader views (1)
I remember when I was young living in East Ham in the 50s and 60s, not too far from Leytonstone. The East End then was a safe place to live in, I was regularly out dancing and returning home at midnight without fear of anything happening to me or my friends. And it wasn't only because in those days there was always a bobby on the beat, and harsh punishment for wrongdoers, it was also because the indigenous population who mainly inhabited the area then had different values and standards to the people living there today. This is not being racist,it is being completely honest! The young men living there and running wild these days have no father figures to look up to and that is a well known fact! In those days we were all what would be considered today as relatively poor working class, but parents brought up their children to respect others. How times have changed and it's mainly due to the politically correct liberal elite thinking, together with the socialist nanny state which have made many of our towns and cities 'no go' areas; there is no respect for others and our society has literally gone to pot! Britain will never get back to one of the most highly respected countries in the world where good manners and respect for others were seen by other countries something to be really proud of. Teachers can't do the job on their own, they need the support and respect of parents to keep these feral youths in line, or else curfews will be the only answer.
- Wooram, Alicante, Spain, 10/04/2008 19:35
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