The parents of 16-year-old knife victim Shakilus Townsend have paid thanks to a woman who scared off his attackers.

Nicola Dyer and husband Derek visited the scene of their son's death in Thornton Heath, south London on Friday night.

They and other relatives of the murdered teenager thanked mother of four Sharon Simpson, 47, for her brave actions.

Ms Simpson said: "There was crying and pain. They said he was a very happy guy, he was nice."

She said she saw two teenage boys, whose faces were covered, beating Shakilus with a baseball bat and kicking and punching him as he lay on the ground last Thursday.

Ms Simpson said: "I said to them don't slap him, don't hit him at all. I said leave him alone."

She added: "I thought that could have been one of mine. I tried to save him but I couldn't."

Ms Simpson told how she ran outside, causing his attackers to flee, giving her the opportunity to try to save Shakilus.

She tried to reassure him and staunched the bleeding from his stab wounds.

"The only thing he was talking about was his mum and that he didn't want to die. He knew he was going to die but I couldn't help him," she said.

"They could have killed me too but I wasn't thinking about that. I was just thinking we have got to help him. I was so frightened when I saw the blood."

Ms Simpson saw a tall man looking on as the two teenagers with covered faces beat Shakilus.

Her neighbour Dee Bamina, who also tried to save the boy, saw a light-skinned black girl speaking on her mobile phone just before the attack.

Ms Simpson had to clean the boy's blood from her hallway this morning.

Floral tributes have been left at the scene, with messages from his cousin Kayreesha, his aunt Diana, and Ben Morris, a fellow pupil from Rosendale Primary School they both used to attend.

His message reads "You'll be missed mate."

A worker from youth service Connexions, who did not leave her name, described the teen as "young, gifted and black."

Kayreesha wrote: "You grew up so fast and I never got the chance to see you recently. I have been a part of you this long and now you are gone but you will always be with me."

Shakilus's aunt said: "I hope you are resting peacefully".

A book of condolence has been opened at nearby Beulah Family Church.

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