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Jevon Henry |
‘Court case’ workshop aims to shock teens
from knife crime
Youths set to watch mock murder trial to witness aftermath of gang stabbings
A COURTROOM drama is to be staged in Westminster Magistrates’ Court as part of a pioneering project aiming to reveal to teenagers the aftermath of knife crime.
The murder trial – which will include professional barristers, Paddington detectives, a judge and a jury – will be watched by 60 teenagers from North Westminster on October 5.
It is one of a series of “workshops” aiming to unite rival gangs.
Another will take place in the emergency rooms at St Mary’s Hospital.
Sean Simms, a youth worker from Paddington who is leading the Uncut Project, said: “We want to put the power into their lap.
“It is not about lecturing people. There will be ground rules.”
The idea was borne out of a major investigation into knife crime and gang culture.
Mr Simms has interviewed 228 boys and girls in schools, community centres and estates in North Westminster.
He said: “I went into this knowing nothing about the area. But I have come out with a very real idea. Knives are a major part of teenagers’ lives. Some talked aggressively about them, with bravado. Many talked emotionally. But the overwhelming sense was a fear factor – that is a reality.”
One statement from a pupil at Quintin Kynaston secondary school in St John’s Wood read: “It’s like all the teenage boys carry shanks in this area right now. It’s like the latest accessory – girls with babies, boys with knives.”
Mr Simms said the death of the Lisson Grove estate’s Jevon Henry still haunts teenagers in North Westminster.
The 18-year-old was stabbed through the heart in January as rival gangs – which Mr Simms believes are divided primarily on patch and then ethnicity – clashed.
He said: “We were able to form a clear picture of the gangs operating in North Westminster – and also the knife-related incidents involving these groups and other people.
“There are a number of gangs in the North Westminster area, notably MDP, OTT, TKO, YGM, C.C and ASA that have been mentioned at some point in almost every consultation.”
His report stated: “Tensions between Black, Asian and Kurdish communities has been the cause of a number of violent incidents that resulted in one fatality this year.”
An entry from an anonymous interview names Jevon, who came to Lisson Grove from St Lucia six years before he was murdered, reads: “After Jevon, I never felt safe, you think it happened to Jevon it could happen to anyone.”
The report showed a majority of teenagers feared “slipping” – when individuals are set upon for walking through the wrong area.
Mr Simms said: “What is most worrying about this is when you hear 12-year-olds talking about being the ‘youngers’ – they are the next generation in waiting.”
He added: “I think through this project we can reach out to them in a meaningful way.”
• A £20,000 reward for information leading to the conviction of those responsible for the murder of Jevon Henry has been offered and police are asking anyone with information to come forward.
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