Family campaign over knife murder

Thomas Palmer was 18 when he killed the schoolboys

The family of a teenager, who was stabbed to death by one of his friends in woods in Berkshire, is planning a campaign to get knives off the streets.

Nuttawut Meechao, 14, and his friend Steven Bayliss, 16, were killed in Finchampstead when Thomas Palmer, 18, attacked them with a hunting knife.

Palmer was jailed for life at Reading Crown Court with a tariff of 20 years.

Nuttawut's family now hopes to educate youngsters about the dangers of carrying knives.

As part of the proposed campaign, which would be called September Trust after the month in which the boys were killed, they are also calling for a ban on the sale of hunting knives.

Young people will carry knives as fashion accessories Ch Supt Simon Chesterman Thames Valley Police

Police found the bodies of schoolboys Steven Bayliss and Nuttawut Meechao, known as T.Wood, following the attack in September 2005.

Palmer, who had a fascination with knives, later told officers he killed the pair after they mocked him about his odd eating habits and his parents' divorce.

Family and friends of T.Wood are now hoping to work with police to try and combat knife crime.

Officers from the Thames Valley are currently visiting schools with airport-style security arches to check for pupils who may be carrying weapons.

Thomas Palmer used a hunting knife in the frenzied attack

Ch Supt Simon Chesterman, of Thames Valley Police, said: "It is an increasing problem and we know from research that's been carried out in certain parts of the country that young people will carry knives as fashion accessories.

"They carry them because they feel safer, for their own protection."

In October the age for buying a knife will go up from 16 to 18 and there will be tougher penalties for anyone caught with a knife.

Chantelle Nadauld, T-Woods step-sister, told BBC News: "They will never be able to take knives off the streets completely, it's just not going to happen, but I think to buy a knife at 18 - it's still way too young."

E-mail this to a friend

Printable version