Police have described the loss of a teenager killed by another boy carrying a knife in a park confrontation as “truly tragic”.
Officers involved in the investigation after the death of 14-year-old Tomasz Oleszak said it underlined the potential “devastating consequences” of carrying knives in public.
He died from the single stab wound to the chest inflicted by Leighton Amies on a path in Whitehills Nature Park, Gateshead, on the evening of Monday October 3, last year.
Tomasz had just joined friends from the Springwell Estate when the incident took place, in which he suffered the fatal knife wound and a second teenager was almost stabbed by Amies, who was then also aged 14.
Read more: Judge lifts anonymity order on Gateshead teenage killer Leighton Amies
Despite the efforts of the emergency services, the death of Tomasz was confirmed in hospital the following day.
A murder investigation was launched, and detectives soon arrested and charged Amies with Tomasz’s murder, plus attempting to inflict grievous bodily harm on the second youth.
He denied those charges but admitted possessing a bladed article in public.
Following today’s conviction by unanimous jury verdicts of both Tomasz’s murder and the attempted wounding with intent, the judge in the trial at Newcastle Crown Court, Mr Justice Martin Spencer, ruled that it was in the public interest to lift the anonymity order applying to Amies, now 15, in part as a deterrent to other teenagers thinking of carrying knives.
Amies will be sentenced at the same court on June 15.
Read more: Boy convicted of Tomasz Oleszak murder identified as Leighton Amies
Following today’s verdicts, senior investigating officer on the case, Detective Inspector Chris Deavin, of Northumbria Police, said: “This is a truly tragic case in which a teenager has lost his life and our thoughts very much remain with Tomasz’s heartbroken family and loved ones.
“Tomasz had his whole life ahead of him, he was a promising footballer and a popular pupil at his school.
“Today, Leighton Amies has been found guilty of murder but no conviction or any length of sentence will ever bring Tomasz back.
“We want to send an unequivocal message to anyone who chooses to carry a weapon of any kind or believes that violence is acceptable, the consequences can be devastating.
“Look at the pain this tragedy has caused.
“Not only could you take away someone else’s future and destroy the lives of their loved ones, but also ruin your own and those of your family and friends.”
Det Insp Deavin said: “I would like to take this opportunity to thank the community for their cooperation and support following this tragedy.
“We recognise the impact such incidents have and as a force we are fully committed to tackling violent crime.
“This includes working with partners to carry out prevention activity, including educating children and young adults about the dangers of carrying weapons, and holding proactive operations, such as knife searches and targeting suspects.
“However, when incidents do occur, we are absolutely committed to bringing those responsible to justice.
“We would also ask everyone to play their part.
“We ask parents to speak to their children about the dangers of carrying a knife and ask everyone to report any concerns or suspicions.
“If you believe a friend or someone you know is carrying a knife – speak to officers.
“Most importantly, we implore those who do carry a knife or believe it is a wise, admirable or a necessary thing to do, to think again and stop.”
Read next:
* Shadow Policing secretary vows to tackle North East knife crime
* Rishi Sunak issues plea to North East families affected by knife crime
* Knife crime: An imaginative way to get this crucial message across
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Police said the family of Tomasz do not wish to release a statement at this time and has asked that their privacy continues to be respected.
They have previously given their support to The Northern Echo’s ongoing campaign for action to tackle knife crime along with the mothers of Jack Woodley, Connor Brown and Gordon Gault, North East teenagers who died in fatal stabbings in recent years.
The campaign, which aims to promote preventative measures and interventions to stop street stabbings with more Government funding, is endorsed by Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer and Shadow Home Secretary Yvette Cooper, as well as Northumbria Police and Crime and Crime Commissioner Kim McGuinness.
Ms McGuinness, said: “My thoughts remain with Tomasz’ family who have had to relive their heartbreak and anger to get where we are today.
“This should never have happened and I know nothing I can say will bring back the lives lost but I can say there is a lot of work happening to try to stop it happening again.
“And we desperately want to be scaling it up and reaching more and more impressionable young kids educating them on the devastating consequences of carrying a knife.
“We need more officers on the streets catching those carrying knives. And I want to reach kids before that – I want to get in there before a weapon reaches their hands.
“That’s why we need to throw everything we have at this. This means more of the mentoring, the youth diversion schemes, the early interventions. And everyone – parents, teachers, friends we all need to be the having conversations, raising awareness, creating positive opportunities.
“The fight to prevent violence will not stop.”