LONDON (AFP) — The mother of a teenage girl found stabbed to death in a south London tower block on Thursday accused police of failing to protect her daughter, as her alleged killer appeared in court.
Tsehainesh Medhani said she was "absolutely devastated" by the loss of her 15-year-old daughter, Arsema Dawit, after claims that she was previously stalked and attacked by her alleged killer and police did nothing.
"I came to this country from Eritrea to live in safety," she said in a statement read by her lawyer, as she wept uncontrollably and was physically supported by family and friends.
"When my daughter was threatened, I went to the police seeking protection. Sadly, this did not happen. I have lost a precious, beautiful and much-loved daughter who was kind, generous and loving.
"I hope no other family has to go through the anguish that we are going through. I feel as though a light has gone out of my life."
London's Metropolitan Police had no comment when contacted by AFP but a spokesman confirmed the case had been passed on voluntarily to the Independent Police Complaints Commission watchdog for investigation.
Two internal police reviews are also looking at how officers responded to a report by Medhani that her daughter was attacked and threatened in April.
Arsema's death Monday brought to 16 the number of teenagers killed in the capital since the start of this year -- already more than half the total for the whole of 2007.
She was the first female victim and one of the youngest. The killings, the majority of them with knives and by teenagers, has prompted urgent action by the authorities amid concern at the spread of "knife culture" among youngsters.
Prime Minister Gordon Brown and Home Secretary Jacqui Smith on Thursday held talks with a group of 17- to 21-year-olds to discuss what the government could do to deter youngsters from a life of crime.
Brown on Wednesday told parliament that more 16- and 17-year-olds should be prosecuted for carrying knives. Currently, there is only a "presumption to prosecute" over-18s who are caught with blades.
Meanwhile, 21-year-old Thomas Nugusse appeared before magistrates in Camberwell Green, south London, charged with stabbing Arsema up to 10 times in a frenzied attack at the flats where she lived near Waterloo train station.
He spoke only to confirm his name, address and date of birth and was remanded in custody until a further administrative hearing on August 21.
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