School 'devastated' over dead boy

Robert Spence died from a single stab wound to the heart

Staff and students at a secondary school are said to be devastated by the murder of a teenager in Reading.

Robert Spence, of Burghfield Common, Berkshire, died last Friday from a stab wound during a suspected gang fight.

Jenny Garner, headteacher of Ryeish Green School, said the "short life" of the "polite" 17-year-old, nicknamed Junior, must be celebrated.

She added he had "successfully studied a broad range of subjects". Two men have been released without charge.

Ms Garner said: "The increase in knife and gun crime on our streets is alarming. Junior's death is very sad.

His death is senseless and should never have happened Headteacher Jenny Garner

"He had everything to live for, with his whole life in front of him. His death is senseless and should never have happened.

"Nothing will bring him back - but if Junior's fate deters other young people from carrying knives or any other weapon in the future, then his death will not have been in vain.

"We need to celebrate his short life.

"At Ryeish Green we are grateful that we knew him and were able to play a part in his short but very precious life.

"Our thoughts are with his family."

Stabbed in the heart

Officers are due to hand out leaflets appealing for information in a bid to jog people's memories.

Police suspect Robert died following a street fight between two gangs.

A post-mortem examination revealed he suffered from a single stab wound to the heart.

Two other men were taken to hospital.

Earlier, Robert's mother, Sandra Blake, described her son as a "hard-working boy, very helpful and always smiling".