Latest news with #Kelyan
Daily Record
23-05-2025
- Daily Record
Two teens admit fatal machete bus attack on 14-year-old schoolboy
The shocking attack on 14-year-old Kelyan Bokassa on the top deck of a bus was caught on CCTV. Two 16-year-old boys have pleaded guilty to the murder of 14-year-old Kelyan Bokassa, who was stabbed 27 times with machetes while riding a bus. Kelyan, an aspiring rapper, was attacked on the upper deck of a bus on January 7 while returning home in Woolwich, southeast London. Despite the efforts of emergency services, he died at the scene from a severed femoral artery. The two teenagers, who cannot be named due to their age, admitted to the murder during a hearing at the Old Bailey. They also pleaded guilty to possessing a knife on Woolwich Church Street. The courtroom was marked by emotional scenes as Kelyan's family, seated just metres from the dock, reacted tearfully to the pleas. Initially, proceedings were paused when one defence barrister requested time to consult with his client following what appeared to be an unexpected plea. The youth later confirmed his guilty plea upon returning to court, reports the Mirror. During an earlier hearing, prosecutor Tom Little KC stated that the attack was premeditated. The assailants, armed with large machetes, boarded the bus knowing Kelyan would be there, approached him directly, and launched a frenzied attack. One of the weapons was later recovered from the River Thames. Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. Both defendants had previous convictions, including for carrying knives in public. One was under a referral order at the time of the killing. They remained at large for several days before being arrested. Scotland Yard took the unusual step of releasing CCTV images and the names of suspects early in the investigation. Judge Lucraft has indicated that he will consider a media request to lift reporting restrictions on the defendants' identities at the time of sentencing. Kelyan's death marked the first teenage knife fatality in London in 2025.
Yahoo
23-05-2025
- Yahoo
Two teens admit machete murder of boy, 14, on bus
Two teenagers have pleaded guilty to the murder of a 14-year-old boy who was attacked with machetes on a bus in south-east London. Kelyan Bokassa was stabbed 27 times as he travelled home on a route 472 bus in Woolwich on 7 January. The two boys, both aged 16, who cannot be named because of their age, appeared at the Old Bailey on Friday, where they also admitted to carrying a bladed weapon. Sentencing will take place on Friday 25 July. Kelyan's mother was heard crying in court as the pleas were entered. Emergency services were called to Woolwich Church Street, near Woolwich Ferry, just before 14.30 GMT, but Kelyan had sustained a severed femoral artery and died shortly after medics arrived. Scotland Yard later issued CCTV images of two boys as part of a public appeal for information. A court previously heard that Kelyan had been sitting at the back seat of the bus when two people both armed with "lengthy machetes" attacked him. The schoolboy was the first teenager to be killed by knife crime in the capital in 2025. Listen to the best of BBC Radio London on Sounds and follow BBC London on Facebook, X and Instagram. Send your story ideas to 'I've lost my son and I still can't believe it' Teen attacked with machetes on bus home, court told HM Courts and Tribunals Service
Scottish Sun
23-05-2025
- Scottish Sun
Two teens plead GUILTY to murdering boy, 14, after he was stabbed 27 times on bus as he made way home from school
MACHETE HORROR Two teens plead GUILTY to murdering boy, 14, after he was stabbed 27 times on bus as he made way home from school Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) TWO teens have pleaded guilty to murdering a 14-year-old boy who was knifed 27 times on a bus as he made his way home from school. Kelyan Bokassa suffered a fatal blow to his leg after he was attacked with a machete during the horror in Woolwich, South East London. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 3 Kelyan Bokassa was killed as he made his way home from school Credit: PA 3 Two teens have been charged with murder Credit: Peter Jordan Two boys aged 15 and 16 appeared at the Old Bailey today where they admitted murder. The court previously heard how Kelyan was attacked on on the Route 472 bus with large knives, which were 'used to stab him approximately 27 times'. One of the blows inflicted in the January 7 tragedy severed his femoral artery. Sadly, Arsenal mad Kelyan couldn't be saved and died shortly after medics arrived. Hos mum previously claimed the teen was groomed by gangs from the age of six. Mary, 50, told how she would find him on park benches at night and beg him to come home after he was taken into care four years ago. On her unsuccessful legal battle to get him back, she told The Sun on Sunday: 'I tried to prevent it. I screamed. I said, 'My son is going to be killed'.' A woman, 44, arrested for assisting an offender has been released under investigation. Anyone with information that could assist the investigation is asked to call 101, quoting the reference 3795/07Jan.
BBC News
12-03-2025
- BBC News
Kelyan Bokassa: Funeral for teen fatally stabbed on Woolwich bus
The funeral has been held for a 14-year-old boy who was stabbed on a bus in south-east Bokassa died shortly after being attacked on a 472 double-decker bus on Woolwich Church Street on 7 funeral took place at 11:00 (GMT) on Wednesday at Christ Church Greenwich, where more than 100 mourners gathered. In her eulogy, Kelyan's mother, Marie Bokassa, said: "He was not just my child, to many he was a protector and a loyal friend. He nurtured his friendships fiercely, always putting his friends first and ensuring they felt safe and valued." Two teenage boys aged 15 and 16 were charged with Kelyan murder in defendants were remanded into custody after appearing at the Old Bailey.A plea hearing was set for 14 April and a trial at the same court was provisionally set for 13 October. Leading the service, Rev John Pout said: "Kelyan's life was just beginning he was a young man with so much potential, he was clearly very gifted."He was kind, he was sensitive, generous and thoughtful. Not just in the words he used but in the things that he did. He was known to give away his things to others who had less than him."The reverend added: "I asked his mother what he'd say if he we here. I'm sure he'd simply say 'I love you and I'm sorry'." Kelyan's mother, Marie Bokassa, was joined by his aunt Dahlia Edwards, who said: "Despite facing challenges, he never held on to anger or grievances. "He loved people deeply, he would listen and support those around him and was always eager to help."His protective nature extended beyond his circle. It was a testimony to his generous spirit, a quality that defined him."Teenagers, some of them holding bouquets of flowers, were among the congregation, with two of Kelyan's friends singing Hallelujah during the of the young people in attendance were said to also be friends of Daèjaun Campbell, who was fatally stabbed not far from where Kelyan was killed, just a few months earlier.
