|
|
 |
| |
The BT cable box at the spot where he died, as it looked before being painted over |
BT bunglers paint over Ben tribute
Furious family hope to trace mystery artist who created ‘lovely portrait’ of stabbed teenager
BUNGLING BT contractors painted over a mural of murdered teenager Ben Kinsella three days before what would have been his 18th birthday on Tuesday.
Now, the teenager’s devastated family are trying to track down the mystery artist who painted the tribute in North Road, Holloway, where Ben was tragically killed in June last year.
Yesterday (Thursday), balloons, birthday cards, flowers, candles and bottles of beer surrounded the spot where Ben died, while tribute messages have already begun appearing on the BT cabinet where the portrait once stood.
The black stencil portrait, on a lilac background, appeared on a BT cable box earlier this year. But this week, after a member of the public complained about the “graffiti”, BT ordered contractors to paint over it in the company’s trademark green.
Ben’s dad George said: “We’re very upset. It seems to be a breakdown in communications. Islington Council promised it would be left alone but BT painted over it.”
He added: “Unfortunately, we don’t even know who did the painting. We would like to track them down. It was a lovely portrait to remind us of our son. Lots of people commented on how it was a fitting tribute.”
BT yesterday apologised for causing any distress but said it was looking for a solution to the “unique situation”.
William McGarvie, of Camden and Islington witness service, who has been supporting the Kinsella family since Ben’s death, said: “It’s outrageous that BT would do such a thing. It’s a pity because in its own right it was obviously a piece of art. It was very well painted.
“The family were surprised but pleased that someone thought so highly of Ben they put the painting there. If the artist returns, maybe they will choose a spot that’s owned by the borough next time.”
Lib Dem council leader Councillor Terry Stacy, who had ordered council staff to leave the painting alone, said: “I’m gobsmacked and outraged. What stupid people at BT didn’t know the important significance to Ben’s family and friends. Does BT live in a bubble? Ben’s death was national news.”
A spokesman for BT said an engineer working in the area was approached by a member of the public complaining about the artwork.
Neither the engineer nor the contractor was fully aware of the sensitivity surrounding the painting.
“BT has a strict policy to keep its roadside furniture free from any form of decoration other than specifically agreed designs in some areas, to discourage acts of vandalism such as fly-posting,” the spokesman added. “BT is now looking carefully at this site in North Road to establish whether a suitable solution to this unique situation can be found.”
This week Cllr Stacy ordered copies of a memoir written by Ben’s sister, former EastEnders actress Brooke Kinsella, to be put in every library in Islington as well as Pentonville and Holloway Prisons.
Why Ben? A Sister’s Story of Heartbreak and Love for the Brother She Lost is described by publishers as “a powerful portrait of loss in the age of knife crime”.
Mr Kinsella said: “We’re delighted Mr Stacy has agreed to put the book in libraries and prisons. We feel it will benefit the kids.
“We’d also like to see it in schools across the borough so all the children can read it.” |
 |
|
|
|
| |
| |
|
|
|
