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Horse-drawn funeral for stab victim aged 14
Rob Singh, Evening Standard20.08.08
Hundreds of mourners paid their last respects to one of London's teenage stabbing victims at his funeral today.
David Idowu, 14, was knifed in the chest days before he was due to give a speech condemning knife culture at a public speaking competition. He died three weeks later on 7 July.
Brothers James, 13, and Peter, 18, were joined by other relatives and mourners today as they gathered at the spot where David was found stabbed in Southwark.
A small coffin was then drawn by horse carriage to a church in Borough and carried inside.
Distraught parents Grace and Timothy did not attend the Christian burial and service at St George the Martyr Church as part of the family's tradition and culture. David was found critically injured behind student halls of residence in Great Dover Street on 17 June and was taken to the Royal London Hospital in Whitechapel.
His family kept a vigil by his hospital bed until he died. He was London's 19th teenage murder victim this year. The death toll has now risen to 23.
Today, the 400-strong crowd of mourners gathered at the spot where David collapsed after he was knifed yards from his home and just a quarter of a mile from the church.
Two white horses drew the white carriage bearing David's coffin, which was also white. The carriage was adorned with wreaths that read: "Son, brother and cousin".
During the private service by the Rev Ray Andrews, a letter from David's friend Paige - who had known him since nursery school and was a fellow pupil at Walworth Academy - was read aloud.
It said: "Now I've only just realised how short life really is and it's disgraceful how innocent young people like you and many others get killed for no reason.
"I miss you so much and now you are gone life won't be the same without you."
Last month, David's family and scores of friends took part in a march from the spot where David was knifed to the doorstep of 10 Downing Street. There, Mrs Idowu, 48, said she would forgive her son's killers.
The supermarket worker said: "I do forgive the people who did this to my boy but I will never forget. David's death has devastated this family. He was my youngest son and he was greatly loved by a lot of people."
The funeral was held as a youth appeared at the Old Bailey today charged with David's murder.
The 16-year-old , from Catford, cannot be named because of his age.
He spoke only to confirm his name and was remanded in custody. A plea and case management hearing is set to take place on 8 September and a trial was fixed for 24 November.
