Teenager 'loved honey-trap girl'

Shakilus Townsend suffered a fatal stab wound to his liver

A boy was "really in love" with a girl who allegedly lured him to his death, the Old Bailey has heard.

Shakilus Townsend, 16, of Deptford, was beaten and stabbed to death in Thornton Heath, south London, last July.

A statement by his mother, Nicola Dyer, read to jurors, said Shakilus was "smitten" with the girl, who was 15.

Prosecutors claim Shakilus was caught in a "honey trap" set by the girl, who cannot be named. She and six male teenagers deny murder.

Danny McLean, 18, and Tyrell Ellis, 19, both from Thornton Heath, and Andre Johnson-Haynes, who is 18 and from Croydon, south London, deny murder.

He said he was really in love with this girl, that she was to be his future wife and that she was going to have his kids - he was really smitten with her Nicola Dyer, Shakilus's mother

The girl, who is now 16, and three youths aged 17, have also pleaded not guilty to the charge.

The court heard Mr McLean asked the girl to be a "honey trap" after he discovered she was cheating on him with Shakilus.

Brian Altman, QC, prosecuting, read Mrs Dyer's statement in court.

She described how Shakilus, whom she called Shaki, had "always had girlfriends" but for the last six weeks of his life he had been talking about this girl.

Last conversation

"He said he was really in love with this girl, that she was to be his future wife and that she was going to have his kids - he was really smitten with her.

"I've never met her but I have spoken to her on the phone. She sounded a local girl with a London accent.

"Shaki showed me pictures on his mobile phone and I remember thinking she really is pretty and nice to look at," she said.

She also recounted her conversation with Shakilus as he lay dying. She had called to ask him if he could pick up one of his younger siblings.

"However as I was about to put the phone down I heard him say 'If you can't find anybody else, call me' and he repeated 'If I'm your last resort, call me'."

She said she suspected her son had come to harm after reading a news report on Teletext about a stabbing in Thornton Heath.

The trial continues.