Tonight:
5°c
A girl who was 13 when she drove a vicar's adopted daughter to jump to her death from a third-floor window was convicted of
manslaughter today.
Hatice Can, now 15, was led sobbing to the cells and was comforted by her mother after the verdict was read out.
She and Oluwakemi Ajose, who was 17 at the time, had denied causing the death of 19-year-old Rosimeiri Boxall at council-owned temporary accommodation in Blackheath.
Ajose, from Charlton, had been best friends with the vicar's daughter but they fell out when Can and Rosimeiri rowed over a boy.
On the day of the attack Ajose and Can had been drinking vodka before launching an attack on Rosimeiri.
She was beaten by the two defendants who could be seen on mobile phone film laughing, with Can urging Ajose to punch “lower, lower”.
The sound of her being slapped and punched echoed around the courtroom. Her hair was pulled and hairspray was aimed at her face.
Rosimeiri leapt in desperation from the window. As she lay dying, Can is said to have shouted: “Serves you right, bitch.”
The judge ordered that Can's name can be published as a deterrent to bullies around the country.
“There is a legitimate public interest in the case and its outcome and the potential deterrent effect on others and the consequence of serious bullying,” he said.
Can had received the guilty verdict in silence but minutes later suddenly burst into tears which prompted at least four women on the eight woman, four man jury also to start weeping.
The judge told them: “These things are always distressing.” In contrast Ajose was poker faced as she was led away.
The Rev Simon Boxall, vicar of Open Gateway Community Church in Thamesmead, and his wife Rachel had adopted Rosi as a toddler in Brazil and brought her to Britain in 2005.
The couple raised her as their own alongside their four natural sons but were left heartbroken when Rosi left home at 18 and began to get into the wrong company.
Rosi had gone to stay at Ajose's flat in Blackheath, which had been given to her under a social services scheme. Ajose also let Can, who had run away from her home in Belvedere, to stay there.
The court heard that on the day of the attack neighbour Raffaelina Asli tried to intervene but Rosi, although scared, refused to leave the building.
When Mrs Asli later heard terrifying screams she hammered on Ajose's flat door to be told by Can: “F*****g hell she has escaped, she had gone out the window, she has f*****g jumped.”
The two girls, who have police cautions for theft and violence, will be sentenced at a later date.
Rosi's adoptive parents had attended every day of the trial and were in court when the unanimous verdicts were announced.
They said in a statement that Ajose and Can must face now up to what they have done, but added: “We want them to know that we forgive them. Forgiveness means that we refuse to be shackled by bitterness and our prayer is that forgiveness will allow the girls to be released from the burden of what they have done, so that they can now grow into the sort of people that God intended them to be.”
They said they have never regretted adopting Rosi, cherish the “pure joy” she brought into their lives and look forward to seeing her again in heaven.
Reader views (41)
Isn't this a repeat of the Bulger case?
And if life is the sentance passed down, why were they allowed to be freed when they were 18, with new identities?
Bulger didn't get the "second chance".
Why should we forgive dangerous people like these?
God! If they can think like that age the age of 12/13 what the hell are they are going to grow in to as adults if they are let free?
And incidentally, why were the Parents not prosecuted as well?
- Chris Richards, Chelmsford Essex, 19/11/2009 12:39
Report abuse
For the parents to do the 'religious' thing and forgive, is, in this case, wrong. It shows a degree of guilt and is likely to affect the sentencing. It's all well and good forgiving the couple who hounded their daughter to death, but when these two get community service, what message will that send out to other bullies and more importantly, other victims of bullying. By forgiving, the parents has hijacked this story and made it about them, and distracted the public from the actual horror of it.
- Ben Farrell, London, 19/11/2009 09:15
Report abuse
we are not taking the problem seriously enough. we need to build more prisons to keep murderers such as these two off the streets and not give judges the excuse of saying the prisons are too full! we also need to always confront offenders with the consequences of their crime i.e. they should always be made to meet victims families while they are in prison and other families affected by similar crimes. just throwing them in jail with tv, hot meals and warm beds teaches them nothing.
- Ann Jones, edmonton, london uk, 19/11/2009 06:48
Report abuse
An eye for an eye, I say. I can already tell these girls are going to get off too easy.
- Ugh, is a store, 19/11/2009 06:15
Report abuse
Lets hope the judge does not take into account the 'forgiveness' of these misguided soft headed people. Remember the rapist who was in court last week, he had been forgiven by the previous victims Christian parents and then raped again a week later.
these people are as bad as the criminals they seek to let go into our streets.
- Teg Davies, LONDON, 19/11/2009 01:18
Report abuse
To those who on this forum who, incredibly, are criticising her parents for forgiving her killers... you are at the same time criticising the killers for having no mercy or compassion and then criticising her parents for clearly demonstrating these admirable traits.
We need more people like her parents and fewer in society that are like the killers in their viciousness and like those posting poison about their parents on here too. You are as much a product of our current hate-first society as the scum who committed this crime.
- Stg, Peckham, London, 18/11/2009 23:58
Report abuse
I feel sorry for Roseimeri´parents and for the nightmare that their daughter suffered from those pests. She is now in a better place for sure. Tell the truth I feel sorry for those pests too, at the end of the day they are a pair of miserable and wretch girls.
- Pablo, Malaga, Spain, 18/11/2009 22:15
Report abuse
They should be burned at the stake in public. While that might not be some people's idea of justice, it would make me feel better (and keep us all warm for a bit).
- C Nichol, London, 18/11/2009 22:06
Report abuse
From the picture, the 13 year-old was already out of parental control. What does she have to look forward to? A nice cushy 'cell', TV, playstation and everything a teenage could possibly want except the booze and the drugs (we hope!). The Home Office calls this punishment. As for living with their 'crime', it is clear from these pictures that this pair of inveterate thugs have no feelings for any life at all, so why should anyone have any feelings for them?
- Joannie, Newham, London, 18/11/2009 21:17
Report abuse
What disturbs me greatly is that Rosi's parents wanted her to stay with them, why did she feel she needed to move out? Why do some youngsters feel they have to move out from their parents' homes, if their parents are happy for them to be there after 18? The reason I ask is that in many countries in Europe, children stay for extended periods of times with their families, until they marry, or find their feet, whereas here they seem to feel under pressure to move out, with even some parents I hear kicking them out in fact.
If Rosi stayed with her adopted family, this tragedy might not have unfolded, who knows?
- Nabil H, London, UK, 18/11/2009 21:14
Report abuse
The girls father - a vicar, has forgiven the tormentors.
Alcohol fuelled violence, lack of respect and gang culture are to blame.
When I was misbehaving, I got a smack, no pocket money and a curfew - and my parents didn't get social services on their door for disciplining me. I will do the same to my children if they behaved like that.
- Ancient Wisdom, London, England, 18/11/2009 21:00
Report abuse
This represents a tragic outcome of a situation that happens in our schools and work environments every day. These kids are no worse or better than any other bully.
There is much said about how children should deal with bullies but I think the more pressing point is how parents deal with their own children who are involved in bullying. What would you do if one of these girls were your child? In my experience parents are so blind to their own children’s capacity for cruelty that bullying behaviour is not taken seriously and is rarely address properly. This is the lesson for us to take from this tragedy; kids are kids and part of that can involve being cruel to others, It is up to us as parents to take seriously our responsibility to raise are kids not to behave this way.
Regarding the parents forgiving the girls who drove their daughter to her death, as a non Christian, I completely understand the role of forgiveness. Being bitter and twisted for the rest of your life serves no positive purpose; it destroys people (therefore people suffering such tragedies are destroyed twice). Whether they truly forgive them or not right now is irrelevant, understanding that to forgive is the goal will help these people move on to a more positive place which then allows them the capacity to move on with their lives and ultimately, maybe, help others in their situation
- Andi, birmingham, 18/11/2009 19:13
Report abuse
shell be more upset when they take her cell phones away and cut her fingernails .
- Harold, chicago u s a, 18/11/2009 18:58
Report abuse
The issue here is that the deterrent is never heavy enough that's the issue with the law in the UK currently and for many years now ,in the US she would get at least 30 years with no parole ,here she will be out in humm 6 ?
6 years for ruining a life?6 years for driving a child into the mad oblivion of commiting suicide ?Does she or the judges have any clue of what drives a person to come to kill herself because she just cant cope anymore ?I guess they dont !!!!!These kids are starting at 13 imagine at 30 what they will be like ... start now ...
Parents are USUALLY the start up of the whole issue no matter what anyone says ,you cannot educate kids if the parents themselves are not educated,education starts at home NOT in the schools
1)Much harder punishments
2)Jail means jail not a confy room with a TV and PS3
3)Bring back death penalty
4)15 years in jail if in possession of ANY kind of knife
5)Drink Driving -double the time if caught to 10 years
And on and on and on but in the end of the day why bother ,this is only going to get worse before it gets any better ...and we all know this
- Marco Fernandes, JErsey UK, 18/11/2009 18:55
Report abuse
this is another reason why Alcohol should be banned in the UK - it is distructive, ruins lives and I doubt that these girls meant to kill her - they were best friends and the fight was over a boy - not really the same as bullying and although violence is wrong I got into a few scaps when I was 13 too, not fueled by alcohol... They were wrong, it was cruel, we are only hearing half a story though and everyone seems to be a saint on here - damning them for eternity... everyone makes mistakes when they were 13!! Unfortunately this was a big one, which ended fatally, but I'm sure there are others here who fought over boys at school....
- Tracy Shave, Essex, 18/11/2009 18:54
Report abuse
Lets go one stage further. Parent and child... 10 lashes (while conscious and I doubt either the defendants or their parents could take one without passing out) in the public square. The pain and humiliation would serve as justice. The shock would serve as a deterrent.
- Ratchek, Brighton, 18/11/2009 18:27
Report abuse
It's about time these vile, ferral youths were caught! They terrorised so many more people including teachers in their school. The mother is so spaced out and the father is elsewhere. Hatice Can (pronounced Hatijay Jan) ruled the roost with her equally nasty elder sister, who I'm sure, in due course, will be next in the dock.
- Local, Greenwich, London, UK, 18/11/2009 18:26
Report abuse
Thatchers children breed Frank it was the thatch that started the rot we now are reaping. She threw social conscience out the window totally unwittingly i agree the Methodist values were twisted and turned by the murdoch press but their parents grew up lawless their kids grow up valueless god help the next generation
- Duncan, Kent, 18/11/2009 18:18
Report abuse
How could any parent who loved their child forgive their murderer? gives some insight into why their daughter left home. I'm sick of these wishy washy phoney liberals thinking its ok to let feral filth rule our streets.
- Dara, london, 18/11/2009 18:01
Report abuse
Sasha from London and Frank (Home Counties) .. her parents have decided to do the hardest thing which is not to allow bitterness to engulf them for the rest of their lives by not hating these girls who brought about the death of their daughter. Until you are in the same situation I think your comments about being liberal lefty Christians etc are misplaced, arrogant and unnecessary. Forgiving someone doesn't mean that they should not be punished. They will be going to prison and be marked by this for the rest of their lives. That won't make up for what they did but her parents are suggesting that they should get off scott free. It just means that they are not going to let the rest of their lives be spent hating someone.
- Mrs S, London, 18/11/2009 17:50
Report abuse
Forgiveness, genuine forgiveness, is not as easy as some people seem to think. But it is a Christian obligation because Christ taught that if we want God to forgive us then we have to forgive others. As the adoptive father is a vicar he and his wife are clearly guided by that principle, something only possible if God has worked out his life in your life - otherwise known as being born again.
- Adam, london, 18/11/2009 17:45
Report abuse
Another violent attack by someone under the influence of alcohol. Imagine if she had been smoking cannabis, I think the story might read a little differently, no?
@Frank, Home Counties,
"Liberal-Lefty Christians"? what kind of strange universe do you inhabit? Beyond the Home Counties I mean.
- David, London, England, 18/11/2009 17:43
Report abuse
No doubt the sentence will be suitably lenient in view of their ages. I remember Mr. Straws 'zero tolerance'. What are we as voters to believe? Someone who is 13 or 15 knows what they are doing. They should receive life, just as their poor victim received death at their hands.
- Bondy, london, 18/11/2009 17:43
Report abuse
I am appalled at today's youth in the UK. These girls need lengthy jail sentences in an effort to stop other dangerous bullies; though I doubt it will and for the victim's father to let the world know he forgives those wicked girls is not helping. Their parents should be called to count also.
Of course the problem started with the parents and teachers not being allowed to chastise children. They now think they can get away with any crime. 'Spare the rod and spoil the child' I say give the parents and teachers the right to correct with punishment.
- Bettina, Gaillac - France, 18/11/2009 17:37
Report abuse
Why the tears?? Her and the other bully now go on to a life of wall-to-wall carpeted cells, a free X-box, DVD player and TV - in short, a life of kiddie luxuries for their crimes.
- Nowan, London, 18/11/2009 17:07
Report abuse
I'd release myself from the "shackles of bitterness" by giving them a proper hiding. The bible says "an eye for an eye", does it not?
- Bob, Vange, Essex, 18/11/2009 17:06
Report abuse
So there was a 17 year old living in a flat "which had been given to her under a social services scheme" with a 13 year old who had run away from home. Social disservices surely?
The only 'adult' in this story was the 18 yr old who died, what a mess.
- Stephen, London, England, 18/11/2009 17:03
Report abuse
its about time the courts started to come down hard on bullies, monsters like them should have their names placed on registers...they leave school then carry on with their lives as adults, with no care for the destruction they caused to their victims lives...maybe the threat of this haunting them as adults would make some of them think twice about the way they treat others
- Angela Obree, lowestof, t uk, 18/11/2009 16:56
Report abuse
Her parents must be so proud, look at the state of her, fake fingernails and multiple mobile phones by the age of 13 ??? The parents also have a lot to answer for.
- Louise, Essex, 18/11/2009 16:55
Report abuse
To Kh those girls do not care. If they had an ounce of care they would never have committed the crime in the first place. And to those people on the jury, man up. we all know the time served will not really equate to justice delivered.
- Ratchek, Brighton, 18/11/2009 16:51
Report abuse
KH Most normal people would be haunted by what they had done, but most normal people don't beat another human being up and force them to jump from a window to their death just to escape at the age of thirteen! I doubt there will be any remorse from these girls & therefore do they deserve anyones forgiveness?
- Mm, Wiltshire, 18/11/2009 16:47
Report abuse
Well of course - it's easier to forgive, than it is to love and cry for the loved one, and hate those who dared harm her! It also sends a nice message to other thugs! So if one of their sons ends up in a similar way, they'll just go: oh that the hell, lest just forgive whoever killed him and get on with our lives?!
- Sasha, London, UK, 18/11/2009 16:42
Report abuse
Throw away the key and don't let them see the light of day ever again. Another two misfits from troubled backgrounds to add to the ever growing underclass.
Good to see their names and photos have been published.
They should have published the photos of the parents because the parents are equally to blame for raising such appalling children. A few months ago when I was in the UK waiting at a bus stop, I overheard one woman talking to her friend about how the bullying of her daughter had led to her daughter taking her own life. Like this story, it was tragic.
- Frank, Copenhagen, Denmark, 18/11/2009 16:42
Report abuse
The fact that They are a child and a mind of a child is not considered to act as an adult, Morally it will be wrong for these young girls to spend lengthly times in prison cells condiering thier future. but legally they must serve their sentence for the type of offence they have committed.
- Sezer, LONDON, 18/11/2009 16:40
Report abuse
but these girls will have to live with the fact they drove someone to jump from a window- and when they are alone in their prison cell that will haunt them, and their lives will be blighted forever.- Kh, London UK
Nothing will haunt them. They don't care. Don't you get it?
- Rob, London, 18/11/2009 16:39
Report abuse
I hope they get lengthy prison sentences (not merely 3 years) and that they are tormented every single day and night in prison by all the inmates. Too many kids are given lenient sentences to then be released from prison feeling no remorse.
- Servesthemright, Crawley, 18/11/2009 16:34
Report abuse
I do not know what is worse; these vermin acting like they did because it is 'acceptable' behaviour in Labour's new society or the Liberal-Lefty Christians 'releasing' them from the burden of what they did?
You have to come down hard on these feral youths and make sure they understand the consequences of their actions. The wishy-washy pathetic policies from Labour are creating an ignorant feckless generation, a social time bomb that we will have to pay for in more ways than one down the line.
- Frank, Home Counties, England., 18/11/2009 16:27
Report abuse
Scotty: i can understand what rosi's parents have said regarding forgiveness- they do not want to live their lives as bitter twisted people and i applaud them for that. I get the impression they feel they let rosi down themselves, although i don't know why. I agree the crime was terrible and the girls do deserve lengthy jail sentences, but these girls will have to live with the fact they drove someone to jump from a window- and when they are alone in their prison cell that will haunt them, and their lives will be blighted forever.
- Kh, London UK, 18/11/2009 16:22
Report abuse
Tears for herself, but not for her victim: doesn't sound like she deserves to be forgiven yet - doesn't sound like she's remorseful for her crime at all.
- Roz, France, 18/11/2009 16:20
Report abuse
Dont hold your breath for sentencing. Having said that, at least they have been brave enough to publish name and picture rather than the usual " unable to publish for legal reasons". I really hope the sentence will fit the crime. That is the only way we can fight the crime and violence we have in society today. I admire Rosi's parents. I don't know if I could be that generous.
- Maya - London, London, 18/11/2009 16:05
Report abuse
forgive them?
these awful girls should rot in jail.
- Scotty, London, 18/11/2009 16:01
Report abuse
