'Parents should be held responsible if children carry knives'

Nathaniel Shani was fatally stabbed in the neck in September 2023

The family of a 14-year-old who was stabbed to death have said parents who do not try to stop children carrying knives should be held responsible for their actions.

Two boys, aged 14 and 15 were jailed for life on Wednesday for the murder of Nathaniel Shani in Harpurhey, Manchester in September 2023.

Nathaniel's family described their son, who was an air cadet, as "a courageous and charming young boy, with a great sense of humour".

They have now called for a "total ban on carrying knives in our streets".

Nathaniel Shani was a proud air cadet with a "great sense of humour"

Nathaniel's killers, who have not been named due to their age, had gone to confront him in Tavistock Square armed with a knife and a screwdriver.

He was found seriously injured after being stabbed in the neck, and later died in hospital.

Det Chif Insp Gina Brennand said the air cadet had been "ironing his uniform and polishing his boots" on the night of his murder.

At Manchester Crown Court, the boys were told they must serve a minimum term of ten years and were both remanded into a young offenders institute.

Held responsible

In a tribute released by police after the sentencing, Nathaniel's family spoke of "sleepless nights, constant use of antidepressants, uncontrollable tears".

They said the 14-year-old would be missed "for many reasons", including his love of "jokes and laughs".

He was "never angry or mad at anyone", and when bored would "just crack a joke and every one would just burst into instant laughter", they said.

They have called for parents to take responsibility for stopping their children carrying knives, or to be "held liable vicariously".

Their plea included a call for schools to share more information with parents, who needed to be given greater "control over their kids" if they suspected unusual behaviour.

“Our wish is that more powers need to be given to police to pin down those carrying knives, prosecute and award longer sentences.

"There is no knife too small to cause harm or serious damage."