Northampton student's murder leaves 'difficult wound to close'

Mrs Osei-Poku is urging the government and educators to tackle knife crime

The mother of a student murdered close to his university campus is urging authorities to tackle knife crime from an earlier age.

Joyce Osei-Poku, from Peterborough, was speaking after her son's killer was handed a life sentence for his murder.

Kwabena Osei-Poku, 19, - also known as Alfred - was stabbed to death by Melvin Lebaga-Idubor near the University of Northampton in April 2023.

Ms Osei-Poku said: "I wish I could go back in time and save my son".

She also pleaded with young people to "say no to knife, say yes to life".

During Legaba-Iqubor's trial, Northampton Crown Court heard there had been a dispute about drugs before the murder and Mr Osei-Poku had been robbed of a large quantity of cannabis.

On 23 April, the teenage student was found with serious stab wounds in New South Bridge Road near the university's Waterside Campus. He died at the scene.

Kwabena Osei-Poku was found with stab wounds near the University of Northampton's Waterside Campus

Lebaga-Idubor, from Abbey Road in Barking, east London, was convicted of murder and having a bladed article in a public place.

He will serve a minimum of 21 years in prison.

In a written tribute to her son, Ms Osei-Poku said: "The pain I feel as a result of Alfred's murder is so great I cannot put it into words.

"It lives with me every day. He is the first thing I think about when I wake up and the last thing on my mind before I go to sleep."

Mr Osei-Poku's family released some of their favourite pictures of him

She told the BBC: "I remember Alfred as my first love, Alfred is the one that brought joy to me whenever I wanted him.

"There is a wound in me, there is a gap, a hole, that is very difficult for me to close."

She added that Alfred often looked after his younger siblings and acted as an advocate for other people.

Kwabena Osei-Poku's parents, Ken and Joyce, spoke outside court saying he helped others in the local community

Ms Osei-Poku said she believed that if Legaba-Iqubo had not been carrying a knife, her son would have still been alive.

"I would like the Government, the education system, to tackle knife crime, if possible, from pre-school because these children are lacking the use of a knife - [it] is not for killing," she said.

"Alfred came here to study - the dream that he wanted to pursue - somebody like Melvin cut that dream off. Why? Because of the knife."

Ken Osei-Poku, the victim's father, added: "The murderer's family can visit him in prison.

"We have to go to the graveyard."

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