Norfolk mum of boy stabbed to death in Ipswich says tougher sentences needed to curb knife crime
"Our hearts are broken by it all"
The Norfolk mum of a boy who was stabbed to death in Ipswich says tougher prison sentences and more investment in youth services are needed to help curb knife crime.
One year ago today Alfie Hammett and Joshua Howell were given minimum prison terms of 24 and 20 years - after being found guilty of murdering 18-year-old Raymond James Quigley, from Wymondham.
"Our hearts are broken by it all"
Margaret Oakes lives in North Walsham: "We're getting through all this, day by day. After watching the footage in court and seeing James being brutally murdered, it all plays on our minds constantly.
"Our hearts are broken by it all.
"Everyday we hear about more young people being taken by knife crime, with it even being a problem in schools now, as well.
"If the Government doesn't step up and put stronger laws in place to deter young people from carrying and using blades, there's going to be more and more of this."
What happened?
This all happened occurred at about 3.35pm on Tuesday 17 January 2023, in Westgate Street.
James had travelled to Ipswich to meet two friends.
He was walking through the town centre with them when they came across Hammett and Howell - who were wearing face masks, had hoods up and were both carrying large knives.
Hammett ran directly towards James and proceeded to attack him, while Howell – brandishing a machete - chased after one of James’ friends, who managed to escape to safety in a nearby shop.
Following the attack, James managed to stagger across the road to get help and collapsed in a nearby shop.
Despite the best efforts of the public and medical personnel he died at the scene.
A Home Office post-mortem examination concluded that James sustained four stab wounds to the torso, with two wounds to the chest and abdomen proving to be fatal.
The court heard that the motive for the attack was most likely due to tensions between rival gangs from Norwich.
James Quigley had an association with a gang called ‘OTM’, which stands for ‘Only The Money’.
Hammett – who had previously lived in Norwich – was associated with another gang from there called ‘3rdside’, who were rivals of ‘OTM’.
Joshua Howell had links to the Nacton gang in Ipswich - also known as ‘IP3’ – who the prosecution attest had formed a level of cooperation with ‘3rdside’.
Speaking after Hammett and Howell were given life sentences:
Detective Chief Inspector Tam Burgess, the Senior Investigating Officer, said:
“This was an horrific and completely senseless act of extreme violence that has resulted in the death of an 18-year-old man who had his whole life ahead of him.
“I am still staggered by the brazen way in which Hammett and Howell committed this heinous crime in such a public place, with numerous members of the public around and in full view of CCTV cameras.
“James Quigley was simply walking through town with his friends, when he was subjected to this unprovoked attack and without any opportunity to defend himself. He stood no chance.
“And the motivation? Although they are never likely to tell us themselves, everything points to it being down to gang rivalry. Across the country we are seeing too many deaths of this nature. This senseless loss of young lives has to stop.
“Carrying knives is not the answer to anything. It devastates peoples’ lives, not just those of the victims, but their family and friends and also the families of the attackers.
“We must continue to work together as a society to educate everybody about the risks and do everything we can to prevent another family going through what James’ family has had to suffer.”
What has the Government said on this?
Prime Minister Keir Starmer said:
"As Director of Public Prosecutions, I saw first-hand the devastating impact that knife crime has on young people and their families. This is a national crisis that we will tackle head on.
"We will take this moment to come together as a country – politicians, families of victims, young people themselves, community leaders and tech companies - to halve knife crime and take back our streets"
Home Secretary Yvette Cooper said:
"We will not sit back while precious lives are being lost and young people’s futures destroyed. That is why we are making it a mission for the country to halve knife crime in a decade.
Getting weapons off our streets and making sure there are tough and clear consequences for violence are vital. And we also need to prevent young people heading down this path - that means offering young people more hope, more opportunities.
This coalition is crucial - bringing together those who have fought so passionately for change and who know how devastating knife crime can be and why we need action now."
The Government says its 'mission' is to halve knife crime in a decade.