Connect with us

Published

on

Two teenagers have been sentenced to at least 15 years for the machete murder of 14-year-old Kelyan Bokassa on a bus.

Kelyan was killed on 7 January in Woolwich, southeast London, in what prosecutors said was a planned attack.

The defendants, now 16, who are too young to be named, stabbed him 27 times with machetes.

They pleaded guilty in May, with one appearing to change his plea at the last moment, and both admitted possessing an offensive weapon.

On Friday, Judge Mark Lucraft KC sentenced the two boys to life in prison, with a minimum term of 15 years and 110 days before they can be considered for parole. One appeared to smile as he was sent down.

The judge noted that during the attack, “the CCTV shows you were smiling,” and said Kelyan’s death was a “senseless loss” of another boy to the “horrors of knife crime“.

Marie Bokassa, Kelyan’s mother, said later that the boys “shattered an entire world” in a statement read outside the court on her behalf.

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

‘They shattered an entire world’

Mum ‘a broken soul’ after murder

Prosecutor Tom Little KC previously told the Old Bailey that Kelyan was attacked “almost instantaneously” by the boys on the top deck.

The 14-year-old suffered a severed femoral artery during the attack, which happened in the middle of the afternoon in Woolwich Church Street, and died shortly after medics arrived.

Marie Bokassa, Kelyan’s mother, described herself in a victim impact statement on Friday as “a broken soul whose life changed forever the day my child’s life was taken from me by another child”.

Kelyan Bokassa and his mum Marie Bokassa. Pic: Met Police
Image:
Kelyan Bokassa and his mum Marie Bokassa. Pic: Met Police

“I ask myself what has happened to those two boys that has resulted in that terrible act of violence and I cannot imagine how can they be so angry,” she added.

“What they did was horrific and I do not know what has led them to do this and maybe I will never.”

“That moment of violence may have lasted seconds but its consequences are eternal.”

She then told the court she had spent her son’s 15th birthday at his graveside, and said she is scared to take public transport – particularly the 472 bus route, on which her son was killed.

“I feel judged,” Ms Bokassa said, before adding: “These two young boys took my son’s life without hesitation, they will now have to face the consequences of their actions here today.

“My only hope is they get the help they need before they ever get released into society.”

A boy had received stab wounds and was treated by paramedics before passing away, police said.
Image:
The incident took place on the 472 bus in January. Pic: PA

Mum urges young people to stop carrying knives

Later, in a statement read out on her behalf outside the court, Ms Bokassa said Kelyan’s “life was not theirs to take” and pleaded with young people to stop carrying knives.

“I beg you to stop,” she said, “before you raise that blade, think of your own mother, think of the mothers who will cry every night like I do, who will scream into her pillow, who will walk past her child’s empty room and collapse with grief.

“Don’t let a moment of anger steal your future. Don’t let the streets raise you in a way your mother never would.”

The two boys who attacked Kelyan Bokassa caught on CCTV, with one seen brandishing a machete, faces blurred. Pic: Met Police
Image:
Pic: Met Police

Detective Chief Inspector Sarah Lee, whose team led the Metropolitan Police investigation, added: “The harsh reality in London is that violence disproportionately affects young black men and boys.

“The fact we’re seeing so many teenagers like Kelyan die should be at the forefront of the minds of every politician, every policy maker and everyone who wants better for children growing up in London.

“Without this collective effort, we won’t be able to tackle knife crime in its entirety.”

Read more from Sky News:
Top Boy actor charged with two counts of rape
Tour de France shortens to avoid diseased cows
New internet rules enforced from today

Speaking after his death, Ms Bokassa said Kelyan had been groomed by gangs from the age of six, and she was not surprised when she found out he was dead.

She said the pair had spent Christmas together, after he was previously in care for several years, but she was concerned he still had “one foot in the streets”.

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

From January: Teen killed on bus was ‘wise’

Ms Bokassa added she had tried to stop him from associating with gangs but did not get support from authorities.

One of the machetes used in the attack was thrown in the River Thames but later recovered.

Continue Reading

UK

Man suffers cardiac arrest onboard boat trying to reach UK

Published

on

By

Man suffers cardiac arrest onboard boat trying to reach UK

A man has died after suffering cardiac arrest onboard a boat attempting to reach the UK.

The vessel turned back towards Equihen beach on the French coast yesterday morning.

A nurse tried to resuscitate the man but was unsuccessful.

Pic: PA
Image:
Pic: PA

French authorities have now launched an investigation into the circumstances.

A spokesperson for Doctors Without Borders, also known as MSF, has criticised authorities on both sides of the Channel.

Jacob Burns said: “Yet again we have a tragedy in the Channel, that is the consequence of the deadly, costly and ineffective security policies implemented by the UK and France.”

Pic: PA
Image:
Pic: PA

Later on Saturday, a lifeboat carried migrants who have made the voyage into the Port of Dover.

More on Asylum

Photographs showed them huddled under blankets and orange life jackets on board.

Read more from Sky News:
Israel resumes airdrops into Gaza
11 stabbed at US supermarket

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

Protesters clash over asylum hotels

Provisional statistics from the Home Office suggest almost 24,000 people have arrived on small boats in the UK so far this year.

Towns and cities across the UK have seen protests in recent days, primarily outside hotels believed to be housing asylum seekers.

Continue Reading

UK

Women’s Euros final: The Lionesses face Spain tonight – and they’re seeking revenge

Published

on

By

Women's Euros final: The Lionesses face Spain tonight - and they're seeking revenge

Here the Lionesses are again. Another final. Another showdown with Spain.

All of a sudden, what was once so anticipated and longed for can start to seem expected rather than extraordinary.

What happened to the great underachievers of world football? They are now consistently among the final two going for glory.

England wins
Image:
At Euro 2022, the Lionesses ended England’s 56-year wait for a major trophy by beating Germany 2-1 after extra time. Pic: Reuters

No one is taking that for granted.

Especially not Leah Williamson, with the chance to retain the European Championship trophy lifted three years ago at Wembley.

“The opportunity of tomorrow and what’s on offer is the best thing in football,” the England captain said. “I think we don’t necessarily carry the weight of it and how much it means to people, but we’re aware of it because it means the same to us.”

So often they were only watching other nations making finals.

More on Lionesses

England’s first was the men winning the 1966 World Cup.

England v Spain: All you need to know

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

Lionesses ‘know what win would mean to nation’

Then, with the rebirth of women’s football after bans and neglect, it was the Lionesses’ turn to make it to the finals – in 1984 and 2009.

And the Three Lions had to wait until 2021 to make it to a final, losing to Italy on penalties at Wembley.

It kickstarted an incredible run of five successive years of finals for England senior teams – with another men’s Euros final defeat in 2024.

The Lionesses have led the way, bringing football home by defeating Germany in the Euro 2022 final at Wembley.

They just missed out on going one better when reaching a first Women’s World Cup final a year later.

Soccer Football - FIFA Women's World Cup Australia and New Zealand 2023 - Final - Spain v England - Stadium Australia, Sydney, Australia - August 20, 2023 England manager Sarina Wiegman reacts REUTERS/Carl Recine
Image:
England manager Sarina Wiegman reacts to defeat against Spain at the Women’s World Cup final in 2023. Pic: Reuters

Soccer Football - FIFA Women's World Cup Australia and New Zealand 2023 - Final - Spain v England - Stadium Australia, Sydney, Australia - August 20, 2023 England's Lauren James looks dejected after losing the world cup final REUTERS/Amanda Perobelli
Image:
Lauren James looks dejected after their World Cup defeat, but is confirmed fit for Sunday’s revenge match against Spain. Pic: Reuters

Now, in Basel, comes the chance for revenge against Spain – even though no one in the England camp is saying that, publicly at least, in Switzerland.

Especially knowing how challenging a task it is coming up again against Aitana Bonmati and Alexia Putella – the recent winners of football’s biggest individual honours.

England fans celebrate after England beat Italy at Women's Euro 2025. Pic: Reuters
Image:
England fans celebrating after England beat Italy to reach the finals. Pic: Reuters

Soccer Football - FIFA Women’s World Cup Australia and New Zealand 2023 - Final - Fans in Manchester watch Spain v England - Piccadilly Gardens, Manchester, Britain - August 20, 2023 England fans watch the match Action Images via Reuters/Jason Cairnduff
Image:
Given England’s history against Spain, it could be a nerve-wracking time for England fans. File pic: Action Images/Reuters

But this is Spain’s first Euros final.

And there is some fear from the world champions at England’s grit and resolve to produce comebacks late in the quarter-finals and semi-finals – with 19-year-old Michelle Agyemang’s goals integral to the fightbacks.

England celebrate after defeating Italy in the Women's Euro 2025 semi-final. Pic: Reuters
Image:
England celebrate their semi-final win against Italy to reach the finals. Pic: Reuters

Michelle Agyemang celebrates scoring her side's opening goal.
Pic: AP
Image:
Michelle Agyemang has propelled England to the Euro 2025 final with two vital goals. Pic: AP

Spain captain Irene Paredes reflected yesterday on how the Lionesses can flip a result late on.

But she was also discussing how their World Cup win was tarnished by the on-pitch kiss that led to former Spanish federation president Luis Rubiales being convicted of a sexual assault on striker Jenni Hermoso.

It sparked a wider clamour in Spain for improved rights and respect for women.

Read more from Sky News:
Lionesses’ help grassroots football
Sarina Wiegman on the Euros final
Listen: Why Lucy Bronze is ‘golden girl’

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

Spain’s players struggle for respect

“Since then [2023] we took big steps forward,” Paredes said.

“I think this idea is disappearing from society. I still believe we have to continue opening doors… we’re a reference for boys and girls in society, but we still have things to do.”

It is a reminder that while tonight is about collecting silverware, both England and Spain know that emerging as champions can drive further growth in women’s football back home.

Amid it all, they’ll try to savour just what reaching a final means and how rare they are – until recently for English and Spanish women.

Continue Reading

UK

Unlicensed Botox-like injections spark outbreak of disease many doctors have never treated

Published

on

By

Unlicensed Botox-like injections spark outbreak of disease many doctors have never treated

A woman who thought she was being injected with Botox was left unable to swallow and doctors thought she had suffered a stroke – after she contracted a life-threatening illness from a potentially illegal product.

Nicola Fairley is one of dozens of people who have developed botulism linked to unlicensed anti-wrinkle injections.

She had the procedure done with her regular beautician after winning a Facebook competition for three areas of “Botox”.

Nicola Fairley
Image:
Nicola Fairley

“Within two or three hours my forehead and the sides of my eyes had started to freeze,” Nicola says.

“At first I thought ‘amazing’, that’s what I wanted – then it just carried on.”

Nicola was eventually sent to A&E in Durham, where she met several other patients who all had similar symptoms.

Doctors were stumped. “They thought I’d had a stroke,” she says.

More from UK

“We all had problems with our eyes, some of us with our breathing. I couldn’t swallow – they put me on nil by mouth because they were worried I would choke in the waiting room.”

Nicola Fairley
Image:
Doctors were worried Nicola could choke after she was injected with a suspected illegal product

It turns out all of the patients had recently had anti-wrinkle injections containing botulinum toxin.

Health officials believe they were imported, illegal products.

Botulism – the disease they caused – is so rare many doctors never see it in their entire careers.

It can cause symptoms including slurred speech and breathing problems, and can be deadly.

The disease is so unusual, and so many cases were coming in, that doctors exhausted their stocks of anti-toxin and had to ask hospitals as far away as London to get more.

Botulism

The UK Health Security Agency has so far confirmed 38 cases of botulism linked to cosmetic toxin injections, but Sky News has been told of several more.

The outbreak began in the North East but cases have now been seen in the East of England and East Midlands as well.

There are only a handful of legal botulinum toxin products in the UK – of which Botox is one.

But cosmetic treatments are largely unregulated, with anyone allowed to inject products like fillers and toxins without any medical training.

Cheap, illegal products imported from overseas are easily available.

Steven Land
Image:
Dr Steven Land

‘It’s the Wild West’

Dr Steven Land runs Novellus Aesthetics clinic in Newcastle upon Tyne. He worked for decades as an emergency medicine doctor before moving into aesthetics.

He says he has been warning health officials of an outbreak for years.

“It’s the Wild West,” Dr Land told Sky News.

“Because anyone can do this, there is a lack of knowledge around what is legal, what’s not legal, what is okay to be injected.

“These illegal toxins could have 50 units, 5,000 units or rat poison – there could be anything in there.”

Read more from Sky News:
Kelly Osbourne pays tribute to ‘best friend’ Ozzy
Scots divided as Trump flies in for visit

Botulism

Dr Land showed us messages that he says he gets on a weekly basis, from sellers trying to push him cheap, unlicensed products.

They advertise “limited time offers” and cheap bundles on toxins imported from overseas. He calls them “drug dealers”.

“They are preying on the lack of knowledge among non-medical practitioners,” he says.

Consultations on how to regulate the aesthetics industry have been ongoing for years – but so far, no changes have been introduced.

The UK government now says it does plan to regulate certain procedures, but it’s not said how it will do this, or when.

“What will it take?” Nicola says. “One of the women we were with did almost die – she had to be resuscitated.”

Nicola’s beautician has stopped responding to her messages, so she says she still has no idea what the product was “or how much of it is in me”.

She doesn’t know how long her symptoms will last, but just hopes she will eventually recover.

Continue Reading

Trending