Six More Teens Charged with Sofyen Murder


19 now charged over Victoria Station stabbing

Six more teenage boys have been charged with the murder of Fulham schoolboy Sofyen Belamouadden.

This now bring the total number of charges to 19.

Sofyen, who was 15 and a pupil at Henry Compton School in Kingwood Road, was fatally stabbed in Victoria Station's ticket hall on March 25.

13 students from south London have already appeared in court charged with Sofyen's murder.

Victoria Osoteku, 18, and 10 youths aged between 16 and 17, who cannot be named, were remanded in custody to appear in court again at a later date.

A number of others have been arrested and later bailed by police, including nine boys who were arrested on April 27.

The latest charges involve six boys aged between 15 and 17, who are due to appear in Sutton Youth Court.

Police, who recovered two knives from the scene, believe Sofyen's death took place during a pre-planned fight between groups of teens.

As well as attending school in Fulham, Sofyen played football for Chelsea Kickz, a scheme run by the Premier League club for young people in deprived areas, and for Acton Garden Village Youth Sunday League team.

After his death, a Chelsea FC spokesman paid tribute to him, saying Sofyen was a talented footballer and adding that he was a "valued participant" in the scheme.

His schoolmates at Henry Compton School, Sofyen's fellow pupils created an impromptu memorial in playground and decorated it with flowers and tributes. The school also created two writing walls where students could leave their own personal messages.

The school, who said that Sofyen was missed and would always be remembered also opened a Book of Remembrance which in due course will be presented to his family.

Det Supt Ashley Croft of the HSCC said that Sofyen had tragically lost his life through a "reckless act of violence".

May 21, 2010