Gang guilty of teenager's murder

Shaquille was killed near his London home

A gang of six youths has been found guilty of murdering a 14-year-old boy in a park near his east London home.

Shaquille Smith was with two friends near London Fields in Hackney when the group approached them last August.

He was stabbed to death by the gang, who were initially targeting his friend who ran off before the attack.

George Amponsah, 18, Godiowe Dufeal, 20, Amisi Khama, 18, a 16-year-old boy and two 17-year-old boys, all from Hackney, were convicted of murder.

'Roving gang'

Shaquille had been sitting with a 16-year-old girl and a boy. His mother had let him off his daily chores because she thought he would be safe with the older girl.

Aftab Jafferjee QC, prosecuting, said the attackers were a "roving gang" who had "violence on their minds".

A light has been dimmed and put out of our lives. We never had a chance to say goodbye Sandra Maitland, Shaquille's mother

He said: "Within a short time, the friend had to run away, the girl was cut across the neck and face and Shaquille was killed."

The gang of six were remanded in custody until 10 July for reports before sentencing.

Judge David Paget warned them they would all be given life terms.

"I have to bear in mind not just the age of Shaquille but bear in mind his total innocence," he said.

He praised Shaquille's family for their dignity during the trial.

Shaquille's mother, Sandra Maitland, said in a statement to the court: "A knot is in our hearts that will not undo.

"A light has been dimmed and put out of our lives. We never had a chance to say goodbye."