Located in two redbrick campuses straddling a busy dual carriageway, Edmonton County may not be the most prepossessing state school in London — but down the years it has produced an admirable array of high-achievers.Among the many past pupils to have risen far beyond their humble beginnings are Tory peer Norman Tebbit, actor Ray Winstone, Olympic silver medallist and TV personality Kriss Akabusi, and the arts polymath Sir Roy Strong.
By all accounts, 15-year-old Negus McLean, the son of a primary school secretary, had every chance of adding his name to this list of successful alumni. A talented rap musician with good looks and charisma to match, he was tipped to emulate chart-topping singer Lemar — another, more recent Edmonton County pupil.
Tragically, however, this gifted teenager — who hoped to gain five A-starred GCSEs this summer — will be remembered for a very different reason.
Last Sunday evening, as he went to fetch a takeaway chicken supper with his 12-year-old brother, Elijah, a gang of about a dozen youths, their faces covered with bandanas, followed them on mountain bikes and demanded the younger boy’s BlackBerry phone.
With commendable courage, Negus attempted to defend Elijah, whereupon the mob chased and encircled him, stabbed him repeatedly through the thigh and chest, and beat him with a metal pole. He died from wounds to his heart soon after reaching hospital. Read More
No comments:
Post a Comment