Three teenagers have today been sentenced in connection with the death of Olly Stephens, aged 13, who was fatally stabbed earlier this year in Reading.
Two boys, both aged 14, were convicted of murder on 26 July at Reading Crown Court following a five week trial. During the trial both boys pleaded guilty to a count each of perverting the course of justice and one boy was convicted of a further charge of the same offence.
Today they were sentenced at the same court to be detained for life with a minimum term of 12 years, 105 days, and 11 years, 105 days respectively.
A 14-year-old girl was also detained today for three years and two months’ for her role in Olly’s death. She had pleaded guilty before the trial began to one count of manslaughter and one count of perverting the course of justice.
Due to the ages of the defendants, it is against the law for any material relating to this trial to be published which names them or may identify them.
Olly was killed on 3 January this year in Bugs Bottom Fields, Caversham, approximately 200 yards from his home address.
The court heard how the three defendants conspired between them to lure Olly to the field, following an argument he was involved in with one of the group on social media.
When Olly arrived at the field, the two boys, one of whom was 13 years old at the time, started a fight with Olly.
As the fight progressed, the younger boy drew a knife that he had brought with him and stabbed Olly twice before all the defendants fled the scene, leaving Olly critically injured.
Significant attempts were made by members of the public and medical professionals to save Olly’s life, but tragically, his wounds were too serious and he was declared dead at the scene.
A police investigation was launched, and the defendants were identified and arrested within a few hours. They were charged on 6 January.
Senior investigating officer, Detective Chief Inspector Andy Howard, of the Thames Valley Police Major Crime Unit, said: “Today’s sentences mark the conclusion of an extremely harrowing period for all of Olly’s family and friends, and I would like to start by paying tribute to their immense bravery and dignity throughout this entire process.
“While I am pleased that justice has been done, and those responsible have been held accountable for their actions, there is no sense of victory for anyone involved in this incident, or investigation.
“A 13-year-old boy who had his entire life ahead of him, with so much unfulfilled promise and potential, has been killed in violent and needless circumstances.
“Three other young lives have also been changed forever. All of this could so easily have been avoided if those involved had not carried a knife that day.
“The circumstances of Olly’s death are truly shocking but it is vital that his death is not in vain. I know that Olly’s family are determined that his death is the foundation of something far more positive; in particular education and intervention for young people to try and prevent others from finding themselves in this type of destructive scenario.
“All of us as an adult community have a responsibility for children; we have a duty to set the right standards and values for our younger generations, to educate them around the risk of carrying knives, to intervene and provide them with suitable deterrents, to provide constructive ways to fill their time and support them in developing friendships and relationships that are not solely based on virtual contact. Most importantly we have to teach them and make them realise that life is precious.
“Nothing can bring Olly back to his family now, but I hope that lessons can be learned from this distressing case to prevent similar tragedies from occurring in future.”
