Service remembers murdered Jimmy

http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/england/london/8042975.stm

Version 0 of 1.

The father of Jimmy Mizen has said he wants the anniversary of his son's death to be "a message for peace".

Jimmy was killed the day after his 16th birthday at the Three Cooks' Bakery in Lee, south-east London, on 10 May 2008.

A memorial service to mark the anniversary was held at the Our Lady of Lourdes Church near where Jimmy died.

His father Barry urged people to bring about a change to help reduce violent crime. Jake Fahri, 19, of Lee, has been jailed for life for Jimmy's murder.

Hundreds of friends, family and campaigners against crime gathered at the church.

We have to make a stand and say we can't take it any more Margaret Mizen

They were joined by the parents of Rob Knox, who was stabbed to death while trying to protect his brother outside a bar in Sidcup, Kent a week after Jimmy died.

Richard Taylor, the father of murdered Damilola, was also at the service.

The Knox family and Mr Taylor joined Barry and Margaret Mizen to launch United Parents, which aims to help young people and divert them from violent crime.

'Wonderful man'

They also unveiled a memorial bench based on the design of an olive branch outside the Three Cooks' Bakery, which is inscribed with Jimmy's name and the words "Brother, friend, inspiration".

During the service, Mrs Mizen told the congregation: "There are so many young people whom we need to remember. We have to make a stand and say we can't take it any more. We can make a change. I know we can."

She asked the congregation to "ponder for a moment what a wonderful man he would have been".

'Will of the people'

Later, as the bench was unveiled, Mr Mizen said: "Today for us was a message of peace, a message of change that we have been gradually working towards over the year.

"If the will of the people in this country is for it, we can have change.

"We didn't just get here overnight. This problem is the result of 20 to 30 years of the way society has been living, but we can change it."

Jake Fahri, 19, from Lee, was convicted in March of Jimmy's murder. He was sentenced to life in prison to serve at least 14 years.