Two teenage boys have been charged with the murder of 14-year-old Kelyan Bokassa who was fatally stabbed 27 times on a London bus on his way home from school. The two defendants, aged 15 and 16, were allegedly armed with lengthy machetes during the attack. Both have been remanded into custody following appearances at the Old Bailey. The plea hearing was set for 14 April with a trial provisionally scheduled for 13 October.
The 15-year-old boy appeared first from Feltham Young Offender Institution to confirm his identity, while the 16-year-old appeared in the dock later and confirmed his own identity. Kelyan’s family members were present in the court for the short hearings.
The attack occurred on 7 January as Kelyan sat at the back of a Route 472 bus in Woolwich, Southeast London. The police were called at approximately 2.30 pm to reports of a stabbing on Woolwich Church Street. Tom Little KC, the prosecutor, told the hearing that the victim was attacked by two people both armed with “lengthy machetes”. Despite the efforts of the bus driver, passengers, and attending paramedics, Kelyan was pronounced dead soon after the attack.
This tragic incident has reminded the country of the increasing knife crime epidemic that has taken hold of London for a long time now. It has reignited the call for better protection of young people in London’s streets and homes. The youth-on-youth violence is constantly on the rise, and a significant amount of the homicides reported in the capital city is attributable to knife offences. It is hoped that justice will be served through the trial as the family of the victim continues to mourn their loss
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