2 R THE VOICE DECEMBER 15 - 21, 2011

NEWS
NEWSROUND
POLICE ADMIT DUGGAN MISTAKE
A MISTAKE was made in releasing information that Mark Duggan fired at police first, North London Coroners court has heard. Lead Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) investigator Colin Sparrow made the admission while being questioned during a pre-inquest hearing into Duggans death. Later reports said Duggan did not fire at police officers before they fatally shot him.

We are trying to cope with this terrible tragedy

Stephen Ojerinolas family speak of heartbreak
By David Woode

COUPLE CLEARED
A COUPLE have been cleared of killing their four-monthold son at Londons Old Bailey. Chana Al-Alas, 19, and Rohan Wray, 22, had long denied killing Jayden, who died from brain damage and swelling in 2009. Reports said a judge told a jury to declare them not guilty after prosecutors withdrew the charges. Evidence suggested bone weakening medical condition rickets could have contributed to his death.

COURT: Chana Al-Alas and Rohan Wray

LAST CHRISTMAS, Stephen Ojerinola and his family sat down together to enjoy a sumptuous Christmas meal. Although his mother, Olayinka Ojerinola, preferred duck, Stephen encouraged her to buy a turkey. On Christmas morning, Stephen took on the role of chef. The committed Christian family later sat around the dinner table, held hands and gave thanks for their meal. They then spent the rest of the evening laughing, playing games and discussing Jesus and the spirit of Christmas. But this year, Christmas has been cancelled. Instead, the family will be making funeral preparations and awaiting the release of Stephens body. Stephen Ojerinola went missing in April. On November 20, his remains were discovered buried in the garden of a property in Lynsted Gardens, Eltham, south London. A post-mortem revealed that Stephen died from stab wounds.

He was just 18 years old. Speaking exclusively to The Voice at the familys home in Camberwell, south London, Stephens stepfather, Ade Bakare, said: The irony is that we were hoping Stephen's body would be released to us so we could give him a funeral before Christmas. But how do you think of Christmas when you have to plan a funeral?" Stephens heartbroken mother added: I feel empty. Its like he has gone into oblivion. I will never lay eyes on his body [because it is decomposed] and thats the thing that hurts the most.

DISAPPEARANCE
In the seven months during Stephens disappearance, Olayinka said she had to take sleeping tablets to get through the night. The stress of looking for Stephen has done damage to my brain. I never gave up hope that he would walk through the door, but deep down I knew there was something wrong, she said. Every morning I thought of how I would get through the day. And despite taking sleeping tablets, I would lie awake at night, trying to find answers. Surrounded by friends and sitting near her husband, a 48year-old security consultant, Olayinka described her son as a bright and charming young man with a soft heart. At 6ft 4in, Stephen towered over his mother, and she recalled how he had to bend down to hug her. According to Olayinka, Stephen had been a large baby, and staff at Kings College Hospital affectionately referred to him as a monster because he was so big. As a child, Stephen was athletic and a die-hard Manchester United fan. I was forever buying him new football strips, said Olayinka. The aspiring lawyer attended Crown Woods College in Avery Hill, Eltham, and inside the living room, his school photo and family portraits line the mantelpiece. Stephen was so generous with his time and he was devoted

MISSED: Olayinka and Ade with a picture of Stephen

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to his younger siblings. He was always buying them sweets, and I would say remember their teeth, I dont want them to have too many sweets, she recalled. She said one of her fondest memories is the way Stephen took care of her after she had her son, Adesoye, by caesarean section. He did some things that I will never forget. In the house we were living in at the time, the kitchen and sitting room was on the ground floor and I was unable to get down the stairs. His stepfather had to leave for work at 5.30am so Stephen would make breakfast, lunch and dinner, and he would put his sister Derin in her buggy and take her food shopping with him. Without him, I wouldnt have survived." Derin, now eight, idolised Stephen. His stepfather said she and her younger brother, Adesoye, five, are struggling to

process the news of his death. Ade said: Adesoye adored him and hasnt really grasped it. Last weekend he wrote Stephen a Christmas card. Derin knows she isnt going to see Stephen again, but the impact hasnt hit her yet. Ade said Stephens 21-yearold brother, Junior, is also struggling to cope. Their closeness is cemented in the fact that Stephens February 26 birthday was just one day after Juniors, Olayinka said.

REALITY
Now we have felt the reality, we are trying to cope with this terrible tragedy, said Ade. Lee Davies, 35, of Chiswell Square, Blackheath has been charged with murder, and William Regan, 36, of Lynsted Gardens, Eltham, has been charged with murder and two counts of burglary.

Both are due to appear for a plea and case management hearing at Londons Old Bailey on March 2. Five other people have been arrested and bailed. Lee Jasper, chair of the London Race and Criminal Justice Consortium, and the familys spokesman, said: The family have been doubly victimised. Not only have they gone through the horror of losing Stephen, they have been deprived of the very process that gives them some degree of comfort and solace (by getting the chance to view his body). The family now pray they get justice for Stephen. Stephen was last seen in the Eltham area in April. Anyone with information should contact the incident room on 0208 721 4205, or to remain anonymous call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

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Community speak out against gun and knife crime at the Proud of Southwark event
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