UK NEWS

STABBING VICTIM WAS ABOUT TO GIVE TALK ON KNIFE CRIME

Victim Ben Kinsella was also due to be a contestant at the competition

Wednesday July 9,2008

THE latest teenager stabbed to death was due to make a hard-hitting speech on knife crime at a public speaking competition in which previous victim, Ben Kinsella, had also been a contestant.

Public-spirited David Idowu, 14, was chased by a gang and stabbed, two days before he was due to give his talk at the contest organised by Speakers Bank aimed at encouraging oratory among young people.

Sixteen-year-old Ben, brother of former EastEnders’ actress Brooke Kinsella, had also chosen knife crime as his subject when he spoke at last year’s contest. He was knifed to death in Islington, north London, last month.

David’s parents Olabode and Grace had been excitedly planning for his 15th birthday next month.

Their son died in hospital on Monday, having never recovered from his injuries. He was the 19th teenager to meet a violent death in London this year.

David was attacked three weeks ago near his home in Borough, south London. He was wearing the uniform of Walworth Academy and detectives are working on the theory he was caught up in a feud between schools.

Speakers Bank chief Jez Sweetland said: “It shows the courage, anger and tears teenagers feel on the knife-crime issue. A majority of teenagers want to be part of a solution.”