This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/england/london/8022709.stm
The article has changed 5 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Version 2 | Version 3 |
---|---|
Bicycle gang 'murdered teenager' | Bicycle gang 'murdered teenager' |
(10 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. |
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 17-year-old youth 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." |
'Hunting in a pack' | 'Hunting in a pack' |
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. | 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. |
Mr Jafferjee said: "Such a mob-handed attack is the equivalent of hunting in a pack. | 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." | "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. | 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." | 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. | 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. | 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. |