Victim's mother unable to forgive

Ben and Pauline Okechukwu paid tribute to their daughter

The mother of a teenager stabbed to death in the street has said she cannot forgive her daughter's killer.

Her husband, pastor Ben Okechukwu, paid tribute to their daughter Ruth, 18, who was murdered by Roberto Malasi in south-east London in September 2005.

"As a man of God, I feel sorry for him and I forgive him because he has no sense of belonging," Mr Okechukwu said.

But his wife Pauline said: "He has not only taken Ruth's life, he has taken my life as well."

The couple spoke after Malasi, 18, was jailed for life at the Old Bailey for the murders of Ruth and Zainab Kalokoh, two weeks earlier.

His three accomplices, Diamond and Timy Babamuboni, aged 17 and 15, and Jude Odigie, 16, were also beginning sentences for Mrs Kalokoh's killing.

Ruth was "very warm, forthright and ambitious"

Mr Okechukwu said: "Ruth is such a wonderful lady, she would have been 20 at this time.

"She had so much to offer the community and the nation. She was very warm, forthright and ambitious."

"[Malasi] has been left behind by his parents and of course, from the Christian point of view, he doesn't know what his crimes are.

"There is no relationship between him and other men. He doesn't see human beings as other human beings. He thinks human beings are animals."

He called for an end to a culture in which for some youths carrying a knife was a "mature business" and status symbol.

Pauline, who stood beside him outside the Old Bailey, was tearful as she talked about Ruth and called for Malasi to be deported.

"I see no reason why someone who came from another place, who is an illegal immigrant, should come and kill my daughter. [Malasi] should be deported.

"He has not only taken Ruth's life, he has taken my life as well. I love my daughter so much and she will never be forgotten."