Max Dixon: Funeral for teenager killed in fatal stabbing

Family and friends of Max Dixon gathered to attend the memorial service

A funeral has been held to honour the memory of a "fun-loving and caring" teenage boy killed in a fatal stabbing attack.

Max Dixon, 16, died in hospital after being stabbed by a group of people in Knowle West, Bristol, on 27 January.

Victoria Boomer-Clark, the headteacher at his school, said it was "an incredibly difficult day".

The funeral of 15-year-old Mason Rist, Max's best friend, who was killed alongside him, will be held on Friday.

As the funeral procession made its way towards the school Max had attended, his fellow pupils lined the pavement to pay their respects.

The crowd fell silent as the car pulled slowly past, adorned with flowers arranged to spell out the word 'Brother'.

Mason Rist (left) and Max Dixon (right) died after being stabbed in Knowle West on 27 January

One teenager, named Alfie, stepped forward to hand the funeral director a bouquet of purple and white flowers, to lay beside Max's coffin.

"It's one of those things as a headteacher that you never hope or expect is going to happen," said Ms Boomer-Clark, head teacher at Oasis Academy John Williams.

"It's been an incredibly difficult day, one that none of us wanted to happen. Our whole school community and the way we've come together has been absolutely humbling."

Max's fellow school pupils attended the procession

Family, friends and the local community gathered to attend the memorial service, held at the Imperial Sports Ground in Brislington.

"The funeral service that we've been fortunate enough to be a part of was incredibly, incredibly moving," Ms Boomer-Clark continued.

"Listening to the tributes of Max's family we learnt about Max growing up, again reinforcing for us that fun-loving, caring young man, that real sense of humour."

Victoria Boomer-Clark said she had felt "fortunate" to be involved in the funeral

Mike Alden, the chair of Max's former football team, Park Knowle Football Club Under 16s, also attended the funeral and described it as a "sad day".

A memorial match between Park Knowle FC and away team Stoke Lane was held days after the attack to raise funds for Max and Mason's families.

"[Max was] definitely a big part of the club a few years back. He ended up being captain of his team," Mr Alden said.

"He a was a good leader. Always full of mischief though, but that was Max and we all got to know him as that."

Mr Alden said Max was a 'big part' of Park FC

Seven people have been charged - five with murder - in connection with the the deaths of Max and Mason. They remain in custody.

A provisional trial date of 7 October has been fixed for the group facing murder charges.

They include four youths, aged 14, 15, 16 and 17, and 44-year-old Anthony Snook, of Hartcliffe.

Jamie Ogbourne, 26, of Bishport Avenue and 22-year-old Bailey Westcott, of Vowell Close, who are both accused of two charges of assisting an offender, will also appear.