Young Damilola is laid to rest

9:57am Tuesday 23rd January 2001

HUNDREDS of people paid their respects to murdered schoolboy Damilola Taylor who was laid to rest in Plumstead last Thursday.

A funeral service was held at All Saints Church, in Herbert Road, Plumstead, before he was buried at a nearby cemetery.

The tiny white coffin, adourned with a cross of white flowers on the lid, was carried by six pall bearers.

Members of the congregation included Shadow Home Secretary Anne Widdecombe, Liberal Democrat Simon Hughes, Home Office Minister Paul Boateng and Nigerian High Commissioner Prince Bola Ajibola.

Damilola's mother, Gloria, and father Richard, along with his brother and sister, led mourners at the church service which started at 1.30pm.

Damilola bled to death in a stairwell near his Peckham home after being stabbed in the leg, on November 27 last year.

The youngster was stabbed as he made his way home from an after-school computer club.

Damilolas family and police will be appealing for witnesses to come forward on Crimewatch UK due to be screened at 9.05pm tonight.

Investigating officers arrested two youths and a 39-year-old woman on December 12, last year, the woman was released with no further action but the two youths were bailed pending further enquiries.

Police arrested 11 youths, aged between 12 and 16, including 'A' and 'B', on December 14, last year.

The current situation is that seven youths were released and four youths including 'A' and 'B' are bailed to return next month

A 15-year-old from Camberwell arrested on December 21 has been released, two youths aged 13 and 14 were arrested in Peckham and are bailed to return next month. No one has yet been charged.

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