Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
Dearest Olly, such a lovely lad, gone way too soon..
Tributes to stabbed 13-year-old as five held
A BOY of 13 who was stabbed to death in the middle of the afternoon at a family park was described as “kind and caring” by friends mourning him yesterday.
Oliver Stephens died at the scene after being attacked in Emmer Green, Reading – a short walk from his family home.
Four boys and a girl, aged 13 and 14 and from Berkshire, were being held on suspicion of conspiracy to murder yesterday. Police were called at 4pm on Sunday to reports of a stabbing at the park, which is popular with dog walkers, joggers and families.
Oliver’s sister Emilia, 26, said in a tribute: “I ’m so sorry I failed you, I wish I could have saved you from it all. We will get justice for you my angel.”
Parents laying f lowers at nearby Highdown School , which Oliver attended, called the killing “utterly senseless” and said their children were “devastated”. One pupil a year below him said Oliver, known as Olly, was a keen rugby and guitar player.
She added: “He was kind and caring. If there was someone younger that was upset, and he didn’t know them, he would speak to them and try to comfort them. That’s what he did with my friend once. That’s the kind of person he was. He was a really nice boy.”
A card with flowers read: “Fly high Olly, love you loads. We’re all gonna miss you. Our angel Olly, gone way too soon, you didn’t deserve this, in my heart forever.” Another read: “Dearest Olly, taken way too soon, you were such a lovely lad. Loved by many.”
Forensics officers conducted searches at the scene at Bugs Bottom Field yesterday.
Matt Rodda, Labour MP for Reading East, offered his condolences and told of his shock.
He said: “This is a very quiet suburban area and on a Sunday afternoon you’d have a lot of families, people walking dogs.”
Det Supt Kevin Brown, head of Thames Valley Police’s Major Crime Unit, said: “This remains a very active investigation.”
If someone was upset he’d try and comfort them. He was a really nice boy SCHOOLMATE AT HIGHDOWN WHERE OLIVER WAS A PUPIL