News / International
Zim teenager (16) stabbed to death in the UK
01 Aug 2012 at 10:27hrs | Views
A 16-YEAR-OLD boy stabbed to death at a friend's birthday party in Walsall, England, has been named as Zimbabwean Ben Morutare.
Ben was found fatally injured in the early hours of Saturday on a grassed area 200 yards from Smethwick Home Guard and Old Comrades Club.
He had a single stab wound to the leg.
It has emerged that police were called to the social club four times following reports of trouble.
At least on one occasion, they were assured by door staff that issues were resolved.
Francis Swan, whose wife Joyce is the licensee of the club, said the party was finally halted at 1.30AM on Saturday.
He had been holding a poker night in the lounge, while the birthday bash, attended by around 230 youngsters, took place in the function room.
The 55-year-old said: "An officer first came in about 9.50PM and then three more times after that. When they came in at about 1.10AM, they commented on the amount of people on the car park and I told them it was because there was a barbecue."
He said a decision was then made to close the club.
"I told everyone to leave and a few minutes later, when I tried to leave myself, there were two officers on the door," added Swan. "They told me a boy had been stabbed outside the ASRA Day Centre and that I wasn't allowed to leave."
Several witnesses told local media that Ben was stabbed when he selflessly tried to defend his friend from the mob outside.
A 16-year-old girl who had been at the party said: "He had been defending his mate who was getting kicked on the ground. It's just so sad he died like that."
He was taken to Birmingham Children's Hospital but died of his injuries.
Detective Inspector Gary Plant of West Midlands police appealed for witnesses to the incident to come forward.
"We have launched a murder investigation following the tragic loss of this young man's life," Plant said.
"We believe that this was an isolated incident and crime of this type is very rare."
The youngster had just left high school and was believed to be studying at Alumwell Business and Enterprise College, in Walsall.
Ben was found fatally injured in the early hours of Saturday on a grassed area 200 yards from Smethwick Home Guard and Old Comrades Club.
He had a single stab wound to the leg.
It has emerged that police were called to the social club four times following reports of trouble.
At least on one occasion, they were assured by door staff that issues were resolved.
Francis Swan, whose wife Joyce is the licensee of the club, said the party was finally halted at 1.30AM on Saturday.
He had been holding a poker night in the lounge, while the birthday bash, attended by around 230 youngsters, took place in the function room.
The 55-year-old said: "An officer first came in about 9.50PM and then three more times after that. When they came in at about 1.10AM, they commented on the amount of people on the car park and I told them it was because there was a barbecue."
"I told everyone to leave and a few minutes later, when I tried to leave myself, there were two officers on the door," added Swan. "They told me a boy had been stabbed outside the ASRA Day Centre and that I wasn't allowed to leave."
Several witnesses told local media that Ben was stabbed when he selflessly tried to defend his friend from the mob outside.
A 16-year-old girl who had been at the party said: "He had been defending his mate who was getting kicked on the ground. It's just so sad he died like that."
He was taken to Birmingham Children's Hospital but died of his injuries.
Detective Inspector Gary Plant of West Midlands police appealed for witnesses to the incident to come forward.
"We have launched a murder investigation following the tragic loss of this young man's life," Plant said.
"We believe that this was an isolated incident and crime of this type is very rare."
The youngster had just left high school and was believed to be studying at Alumwell Business and Enterprise College, in Walsall.
Source - expressandstar
