Stabbing leaves mother 'numb'

The mother of a teenager stabbed to death in a street disturbance has paid tribute to her "lovely" son.

Lorraine Dinnegan said she felt "terribly numb" after her son Martin was killed after becoming involved in a disturbance involving a group of youths in Holloway, north London at around 8.30pm on Tuesday.

He was treated for stab wounds by paramedics but died at the junction of Tollington Way and Axminster Road.

She said: "He's a lovely boy, he doesn't deserve this, nobody deserves this, it's horrible. He was a very popular boy, he was well-known and did very well in school.

"How easy is it to stick a knife in someone? To take their life? Why is it happening, why is it still happening? How many more victims is there going to be? I'm lost for words."

Mrs Dinnegan said the first she knew of her son's murder was when her eldest son received a call at about 8.30 last night.

Detectives say the investigation is in a "very early stage" and they are keeping an open mind about the motive for the killing.

A Scotland Yard spokeswoman said it is not immediately clear how many people were involved in the disturbance. Police do not yet have a description of the suspect or suspects.

Meanwhile, a man in his 20s was stabbed to death after a late-night disturbance in Ramsgill Drive, Ilford. The victim, who has not yet been identified, died shortly after arriving at King George's Hospital.

On Saturday, 16-year-old Ben Hitchcock from Penge, south London, was stabbed to death in a fight involving up to 40 youths.

Police were called to reports of a gang fight in Southend Road, Beckenham, south London, shortly before midnight, where they found the teenager suffering from serious injuries.

He was taken to hospital by ambulance where he was pronounced dead.

Fourteen teenagers were arrested in connection with the incident and were later released on police bail pending further inquiries.

Ben's murder followed the shooting of a 17-year-old girl during a fight at a bar in north London in the early hours of Saturday morning.

Annaka Keniesha Pinto died in hospital after being shot in the Swan bar in Philip Lane, Tottenham. Three people were arrested in connection with the death and later released on bail.

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