Memorial walk marks murdered teen's 17th birthday

Olly was fatally wounded following a dispute on social media

The family of a teenager who was murdered nearly four years ago held a memorial walk on what would have been his 17th birthday.

Olly Stephens was 13 when he was stabbed to death in Emmer Green, Reading, on 3 January 2021.

Family and friends of the teenager and members of the community walked from St Barnabas Church to Bugs Bottom, where Olly died, and to a mural at his former school.

Olly's dad, Stuart Stephens, said the walk was about "building communities and building relationships".

Olly's friends and family gathered at a mural at Olly's former school

He said: "Olly loved fun and he loved cake - so it is great that we can share those things with our community.

"There are a lot of organisations out there that can offer support to people, but it's about making those connections and having the right people talk to each other."

Natasha Moore, who is a friend to the Stephens family, said it was "lovely so many turned out" for the walk.

"[The Stephens] are an amazing family for everything they are doing and for keeping Olly's memory alive," she said.

A mural was painted on a wall at Olly's former school

A raffle was held to raise money for three charities - Parenting Special Children, No.5 - children's mental health counselling, and the Ben Kinsella Trust - an anti-knife crime education charity.

Patrick Green, CEO of the Ben Kinsella Trust, said: "Olly's murder was a tragedy and something that resonates with us all - losing a brother or a son to knife crime is one of the most appalling tragedies that can befall a family."

He said he was attending the work to "show solidarity" with the Stephens family.

Patrick Green is the CEO of anti-knife crime charity the Ben Kinsella Trust

In 2021, a trial at Reading Crown Court was told Olly had been lured to Bugs Bottom Field near his home by a girl he knew, after a dispute on social media.

He was "ambushed" by two boys. One was sentenced to 13 years for murder and the other to 12 years.

The girl, who was 13 at the time, admitted manslaughter and was sentenced to three years and two months but it was later increased to five years by the Court of Appeal.

None of those convicted can be identified for legal reasons.