Tommy had just learnt that his girlfriend was expecting his child. Tommy’s girlfriend, Charlotte Hall had told him that he was to be a father, just 2 days before his tragic death on the 1st September, 2006.
Tommy’s mother Melanie Hopwood (34) of The Hides, Harlow told of her heartbreak and shock at receiving the news that Tommy had been stabbed whilst in Beckton, East London on Friday 1st September. He was taken to Newham General Hospital where he was pronounced dead. Another terrible waste of life, another statistic of the ‘Knife Culture’ that has permeated Britain’s streets, threatening the safety of young and old alike.
Speaking emotionally about her 16 year old son Tommy…Melanie said ”He would have been a great dad, but now his child will never know him. He had a very loving side to him. He looked after his friends and family. Tommy didn’t agree with people using knives and would tell people who carried them that he didn’t like it.”
Since Tommy’s death several friends have started tribute websites, and his friend Chris Torunarigha (23) has recorded a single ‘RIP Tommy’ in his memory. Melanie also said recently “I’ve got to keep going…I’ve got to do something that means some good can come out of this. People who carry knives should have more punishment; they need to be stopped before something like this happens. If they kill…life should mean life! We’re living it every day for the rest of our lives.”
20 year old Jamie Turpin is due to appear at the Old Bailey on the 11th December, 2006 charged with Murder.
Update: Trial Adjourned read more here.