Teens guilty of murdering boy lured into park ambush by girl
TWO boys are facing life sentences after they were found guilty of murdering 13-year-old Olly Stephens when he was lured to a park by a girl.
He was stabbed to death by the 14-year-olds and after the verdict yesterday his devastated family pleaded for an end to the scourge of knife crime, saying: “An Olly-sized hole has been left in our hearts
“Today is a sad day, so many young lives and the lives of their families have been devastated by this callous and cold-hearted act.
“Knife crime needs to stop. Now. “Olly left our home on that fateful afternoon with love and laughter in his heart, with the hope of a bright fun-filled future ahead of him.
“Within 13 minutes of leaving the safety of his loving home Olly had left us forever.
“Two minutes was all it took to end him and cause us and our family catastrophic heartbreak.”
Cheeky
Olly was convinced he was going to meet the girl when he strolled into a trap a short distance from his home.
Ambushed by the pair, he was fighting with the older boy when the younger, only 13 at the time, stabbed him in the chest and back.
The girl witnessed the killing she helped to set up. Leaving Olly dying, the two boys fled on an e-scooter.
All three had grievances with the boy who could, says his family, “get his own way with a wry smile and a cheeky grin.”
They planned to humiliate him after luring him to Bugs Bottom field, Emmer Green, Reading, Berks, on January 3.
In the scuffle Olly was getting the better of the fight so the younger boy stepped in and stabbed him.Yesterday
at Reading Crown Court the boys were found guilty of murder.
The girl and the older boy had previously admitted manslaughter. The younger boy also admitted perverting the course of justice by disposing of clothing. The older boy admitted the same offence for deleting mobile phone applications.
None can be named for legal reasons. Alison Morgan QC, prosecuting, said: “The girl lured Olly to the location of the attack.”
Jurors were told they had shared several messages on Snapchat revealing their contempt towards him.
In one, the older boy said: “I actually hate the kid with a passion. If I was to see him right now I’d probably end up killing him.” The girl said: “Karma – he deserves all of this.”
The younger boy said he had taken a knife because he expected Olly would be armed. It was hidden in a bush near his home.
They will be sentenced later.