STABBING VICTIM WAS AGED 15

POLICE have revealed that a youngster murdered in Coventry was just 15 years old.

The body of the schoolboy was found in grassland off Petitor Crescent, in Wood End, at around 7pm on Wednesday.

He had suffered multiple stab wounds and was pronounced dead at the scene.

A huge police investigation has been launched and the Commander of Coventry Police yesterday revealed the sad news that the victim was of such a tender age.

Chief Superintendent Mike O’Hara described the murder as “terrible news” and says that people in the area know what happened and who the killer is.

Speaking to the Telegraph, Chf Supt O’Hara said: “Tragically it’s been established that we’ve had a murder in our city overnight of a young person.

“It’s just terrible news. We have identified the young person who has been murdered, we think he’s 15 years old, so still of school age which is terrible.”

He says that police are not at the stage currently to release any further details as they are “making sure that family are all updated and contacted before we do that”.

Ch Supt O’Hara said the initial investigation “is going very well” and “the full weight of the investigation teams and homicide department are behind this”.

He added: “We have a number of witnesses and detectives are doing the painstaking work of the CCTV trawl.

“A lot of the hard work has started in earnest.

“The key for me is an appeal for information and intelligence. I know there are people in the community who know what’s happened and who has done it.

“I would appeal to their sense of justice, fairness, their values, to let us know what’s happened.

“Fundamentally a result is going to be driven by community intelligence and feedback.”

He added: “Detectives have sealed off the scene for a fingertip search and forensic examination and we are working to try and understand any motive or what led up to the stabbing.”

The city’s police chief is urging anyone who was in and around Petitor Crescent between 6pm and 8pm on Wednesday night and “who may have seen a disorder, a car, people, or some suspicious behaviour” to contact police as soon as possible.

Information can be given by calling West Midlands Police on 101 or using the force’s Live Chat via the website, quoting log 2263 of February 5.

Details can also be passed on anonymously through the charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or online at www. crimestoppers-uk.org.