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Teen murders in London hit record high

A 19-year-old man has been stabbed to death after an alleged row about a £20 (Dh135) debt - taking teenage killings in London this year to a record level.

  • By Chris Irvine and Richard Edwards, The Telegraph Group Limited, London 2008
  • Published: 23:32 September 26, 2008
  • Gulf News

London: A 19-year-old man has been stabbed to death after an alleged row about a £20 (Dh135) debt - taking teenage killings in London this year to a record level.

One in four murder victims in the capital this year have been teenagers, as police struggle to cope with a surge in youth and gang violence.

The toll reached 27 with the death of Craig Marshall, who staggered into a nearby police station after he was attacked in Acton. Two men, aged 20 and 21 and believed to be Sri Lankan, were arrested and are being questioned by police.

The victim's mother, Sharon Marshall, said: "I've lost my baby boy. He was a good kid, he was not mixed up in any gangs. I can't cope with this right now, my mind is just a mess. You hear about these kids dying but nothing is ever done."

Of the 119 murders in London this year, 27 victims have been teenagers, the highest total ever recorded with three months still to run. A total of 26 youths were murdered in 2007.

It is understood Mr Marshall, who lived with his mother, brother Aaron, 18, and sister Shanon, 10, was attacked in a flat in Rufford Tower, on Lexden Road.

Neighbour Nasren Azad, 37, said: "I've heard he wanted to take £20 from a guy and it was that which started the argument. It's only £20 and now this happens. We are so shocked, we are very worried about what has happened.

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