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Bicycle gang 'murdered teenager' Bicycle gang 'murdered teenager'
(20 minutes later)
A "blameless" 14-year-old boy was stabbed to death by a 10-strong "roaming gang" on bicycles as he sat in an east London park, a court has heard.A "blameless" 14-year-old boy was stabbed to death by a 10-strong "roaming gang" on bicycles as he sat in an east London park, a court has heard.
Shaquille Smith was with two friends in a park near London Fields in Hackney - close to where he lived - when the group approached them last August.Shaquille Smith was with two friends in a park near London Fields in Hackney - close to where he lived - when the group approached them last August.
The gang had "violence on their minds", the prosecutor told the Old Bailey.The gang had "violence on their minds", the prosecutor told the Old Bailey.
George Amponsah, 18, Godiowe Dufeal, 20, Amisi Khama, 18, a 16-year-old boy and two 17-year-old boys deny murder.George Amponsah, 18, Godiowe Dufeal, 20, Amisi Khama, 18, a 16-year-old boy and two 17-year-old boys deny murder.
All six also deny affray.All six also deny affray.
Break from chores Aftab Jafferjee QC, prosecuting, said the gang, called the London Field Boys, approached Shaquille who was sitting with a teenage girl and 17-year-old youth on a bench in the park.
Aftab Jafferjee QC, prosecuting, said the gang, called the London Field Boys, approached Shaquille who was sitting with a teenage girl and boy on a bench in the park.
TEENAGE DEATHS Full list of teenagers violently killed in the UK since January 2008
"On the night, they were operating as a roaming gang of youths with violence on their minds.""On the night, they were operating as a roaming gang of youths with violence on their minds."
The girl was cut across the neck and face, Shaquille was killed while the boy managed to run away, the court heard. 'Hunting in a pack'
Mr Jafferjee said: "He was an utterly blameless boy who said nothing and did nothing to anyone in the park to cause offence, let along justify being murdered. The 17-year-old friend was the target of the gang who had an issue with his brother, but when he ran away they turned on Shaquille and the girl, the jury heard.
"Ordinarily at that time in the evening, that boy would have been doing the dishes but, as he was with the girl, his mother did not call him back into the house, confident that he would complete that chore before going to bed." Mr Jafferjee said: "Such a mob-handed attack is the equivalent of hunting in a pack.
"Although one person wielded the knife, it is gang activity which enables this type of violence to take place."
The girl was cut across the neck and face and Shaquille was killed in the "unexpected and terrifying" attack by the hooded gang, the jury was told.
Mr Jafferjee said: "He was an utterly blameless boy who said nothing and did nothing to anyone in the park to cause offence, let along justify being murdered."
Earlier that evening Shaquille, who was given a break from doing the dishes, had smiled at his mother when she looked out of the window, the court heard.
Mr Jafferjee said the trial would hear from a member of the gang who would tell the court that it was the 16-year-old defendant who delivered the fatal blow.
The trial continues.The trial continues.