Pain of murdered boy's family

Updated 23.09 Sun May 11 2008
Keywords: Lee, Three Cooks Bakery, Jimmy Mizen

The family of a teenager murdered in an unprovoked attack at a bakery have spoken of their grief.

Jimmy Mizen, 16, became the 13th teenager to be murdered in London this year when he was reportedly struck in the neck with a glass dish.

"This is a tragic waste of life. The boy was a good kid and not in any gang" - Witness Paul Godfrey

Police are still hunting the youth responsible and want to speak to witnesses who saw the attack at the Three Cooks bakery in Lee, south-east London, shortly before noon on Saturday.

Jimmy had celebrated his 16th birthday the day before and was just one day from finishing school to embark on an apprenticeship, his family said.

The 6ft 4in member of Sidcup Rugby Club was on his way to buy his first Lottery ticket with his older brother when he decided to visit the bakery.

Police said "a youth intent on violence" had threatened him and offered to fight him outside the shop, but Jimmy declined.

The attacker then smashed down the bakery door and picked up an advertising board which he wielded inside.

Jimmy was reportedly struck with a glass dish against the side of his neck and bled to death in front of his brother.

A post-mortem examination confirmed he died from injuries sustained by glass.

His devastated family, including father Barry, 56, mother Margaret, 55, and Jimmy's six brothers and two sisters, paid tribute to him.

Mr Mizen, vice-chairman of governors at Jimmy's school, St Thomas More Catholic comprehensive in Eltham, said: "We loved him and he loved us back. He was very proud of his family."

Mrs Mizen said: "He was the loveliest, gentlest giant. He was loved by everyone, by his school, the church and his family."

Tears flowed after a two-minute silence was held this morning at Mass at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church in Lee, where Jimmy had been an altar boy and was baptised.

One of the altar boys for the Mass was Jimmy's eight-year-old brother George.

His other brothers included Danny, 30, Billy, 28, Tommy, 26, Bobby, 24, and Harry, 18, and his two sisters were Joanne, 35, and Samantha, 21.

Detective Chief Inspector Cliff Lyons said: "To set the record straight, Jimmy was a person of immaculate character, as is the Mizen family, and he is a victim of an entirely unprovoked and vicious attack and my heart and condolences go out to the Mizen family."

A Met Police spokesman later said a "significant witness" who police wanted to speak to in connection with the attack had now come forward and would be interviewed.

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