Jay Whiston stabbing: Mother's 'weapons awareness' lessons call

Caroline Shearer has set up an Only Cowards Carry campaign

The mother of a teenager fatally stabbed outside a house party in Essex has begun a campaign calling for young people to be taught about the dangers of knife crime.

Student Jay Whiston, 17, of Clacton, died on 8 September after being attacked in Colchester.

Five teenagers have been arrested and bailed on suspicion of murder.

Caroline Shearer, Jay's mother, said "weapons awareness" lessons should take place in all schools.

'Changing the mindset'

"It's no good teaching them these lessons once these children have found out what path they want to take in life," she said.

"The younger the child you can get to the more chance you've got of changing the mindset of why our children are carrying knives."

Five people have been arrested on suspicion of murdering Jay Whiston

She said she had received support for her Only Cowards Carry campaign from local schools and MPs.

Mrs Shearer has opened a shop in Colchester selling items including stationery, T-shirts and mugs to raise money for her campaign.

Post-mortem tests found Jay, a student at Tendring Technology College, in Frinton, died of a stab wound to the heart.

An inquest into his death heard up to 150 children aged between 15 and 17 had been at the house party in Marlowe Way, organised via Facebook.