Murdered teenager’s family calls for end to the violence
A MURDERED teenager’s mother and stepmother yesterday demanded an end to the gang violence that led to his death. Sharon Box and Helen Forbes told how they were “heartbroken” after 17-year-old Tavis Spencer Aitkens was stabbed by thugs.
They pleaded: “The violence has got to stop before it breaks even more hearts.”
Keen footballer Tavis was attacked as he walked from shops to his father Neville’s home in Ipswich on Saturday.
Paramedics battled to save the youngster but he died from a single stab wound.
Tavis’s mother Ms Box, and his father’s partner Ms Forbes, spoke out as they backed a police appeal for information.
Tavis was our world
“Tavis was our world,” 45-year-old Ms Box said in a statement that was read out for her by an officer.
“He meant everything to us. We will remember him as having a lovely soul. He was a wellmannered, polite young man.”
“He was cheeky, outgoing, he loved his drill music and was a talented footballer. He was truly loved and is truly missed.”
Ms Forbes, 41, broke down in tears as she began reading her own statement and had to hand it to an officer.
“Tavis was only 17,” she said.
“He should have had his whole life in front of him. He should have had the chance to have a family of his own.”
She added: “The violence has got to stop before it breaks even more hearts, just like it has broken mine.
“I don’t want other parents to feel the heartache and pain that we are feeling at this time.”
The pair spoke at Suffolk Police headquarters with a picture of Tavis and his twin brother Tyler in the table in front of them.
Detectives believe an initial assault was by two youths on bicycles before a further four or five joined in.
They are treating the murder as gang-related.
Five men, aged between 16 and 41, were arrested and are in custody on suspicion of murder.