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Mother's plea over knives as her son's murderer gets life
Paul Cheston, Courts Correspondent12 Sep 2008
The mother of a murdered schoolboy Olympic hopeful today appealed for an end to gang knife violence as her son's killer was jailed for life.
A-level student Eugene Attram was stabbed to death at a fireworks display in Mitcham. The 16-year-old had 11 GCSEs and was in training to represent Team Great Britain in table tennis at the 2012 Olympics.
Today his mother Maureen, a finance officer at London Metropolitan University, told the Old Bailey: "I want to emphasise that we do not condone revenge in any form or shape in my son's name. All we want is for Eugene's soul to rest peacefully.
"He was a loyal friend, hard working, easy going, calm and intelligent.
In this horrible world we live in everyone is looking for something that makes them complete and I found that special thing in my children.
"Eugene's death was like having 50 per cent of me taken away."
London Metropolitan University has introduced an undergraduate scholarship in the teenager's memory.
At the time of his death he was studying art, English and business studies and had hopes of going to university. Eugenewas stabbed in the chest, back and head in the attack in November 2006 which left three others injured. Ashley Rookwood, 19, was convicted of murder and ordered to be detained at her Majesty's Pleasure for a minimum of 12 years.
Simeon Preddie, 15, who was just 14 at the time of the murder, Loren Fejziu, 18, Sunil Alleyne, 18, and Ebenezer Sampson, 18, were all convicted with Rookwood of violent disorder. Alleyne was sentenced to three years in a young offender institute, and the others received 18-month detention and training orders.
Judge Anthony Morris told them: "Young men like you must understand that violent gang fights on the streets in London will not be tolerated by the public and the courts, particularly when death or serious injuries result."
Reader views (1)
12 years is not a "life sentence", and certainly is not enough for this murderer - when convicted, Rookwood pointed to the victim's family and shouted: "Your kid's a mug, your kid's a d*ckhead."
- C. Nichol, London, 13/09/2008 21:06
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