Gifted public schoolboy, 17, latest victim of knife crime epidemic

A TALENTED public schoolboy who dreamed of being a heart surgeon has become the latest victim of the UK’S knife crime epidemic.

Yousef Makki, 17, from Burnage, Manchester, died just hours after Jodie Chesney, also 17, was stabbed to death in an unprovoked attack in her local park on the outskirts of London.

The scale of the crisis prompted Sajid Javid, the Home Secretary, to call a meeting with police chiefs this week as he warned such “senseless” violence could not go on. A new analysis of NHS data suggests there has been a 93 per cent rise in the number of children being treated for wounds caused by knives or other sharp objects over the past five years.

Yousef ’s family yesterday joined the growing number forced to mourn the sudden loss of a much-loved child.

The bright A* student was found slumped against a tree on Gorse Bank Road in the affluent Manchester suburb

‘Yousef was a lovely lad, an A* student who wanted to be a heart surgeon. He didn’t have a bad bone in his body’

of Hale Barns, near Altrincham. The street is lined with detached homes worth upwards of £800,000.

He was rushed to hospital at around 6.45pm on Saturday but died later.

Two 17-year-old boys were arrested on suspicion of murder and last night remained in custody. They are understood to be sons of local families who run businesses. Yousef lived with his mother Deborah, 54, and brother Mazen, 15, around eight miles away. His father Ghaleb is thought to be Lebanese. He is understood to have won a scholarship to Manchester Grammar School, the UK’S largest independent day school for boys, which commands annual fees of more than £12,500.

A neighbour, who asked not to be named, said she believed he was visiting friends who live in Hale Barns when the stabbing took place.

“Yousef was a lovely lad, a dedicated, A* student who wanted to be a heart surgeon,” she said. “He didn’t have a bad bone in his body. Everyone here is devastated. It’s just a shame for a young lad with so much potential to have his life taken so young.”

Forensic tents were erected on the grass verge yesterday and the area was cordoned off as forensic officers got to

work. The owner of the bungalow nearest the scene said he, his wife and son knew nothing of the incident until they left the house to go for dinner on Saturday evening.

The man, who refused to be named, said: “It was like Blackpool illuminations with all the lights. The boy was leaning against a tree outside. I didn’t know him. By the time we came out to the drive the police were there – we hadn’t heard anything.”

He said residents appeared to have alerted two private security firms, which were also at the scene, and said many of the properties have CCTV.

“There have been a couple of bad break-ins round here so people will have been on the lookout but this is not what you expect,” he added.

Tributes for the teenager poured in last night as Greater Manchester Police issued an appeal for witnesses and information.

Ayla Oglu wrote online: “He was such a good lad, very clever and caring. He could have gone to the best universities, why did it have to end like that? Absolutely gutted.”

Det Supt Phil Reade, the head of Greater Manchester Police’s major incident team, said: “This is an incredibly tragic case which has seen a teenage boy sadly lose his life.

“Yousef ’s family has understandably been left devastated by his death and the thoughts of the entire investigation team remain with them at this difficult time. A team of dedicated detectives have been working throughout the night and into today trying to establish exactly what happened.

“The investigation is in its very early stages and we continue to remain open-minded about why Yousef was attacked, and we would like to speak to anyone who may have information that can assist.

“We are particularly keen to speak to anyone who was walking or driving in the vicinity of Gorse Bank Road or Sunbank Lane at around 6:30pm.

“These people may not realise it but they could hold vital information to assist the investigation and help Yousef ’s family get the answers they deserve.”