Jevon came to England when he was 13

Jevon Henry, 18, died in hospital after he was found on a street in St John's Wood, north-west London, on Wednesday.

Police say he was attacked by several men described as being of Asian or Arabic appearance at about 2000 GMT.

In statement his family described him as kind and gentle, and said "our only comfort now is that those responsible will be brought to justice".

His family said he had come to England from St Lucia at the age of 13 and was studying to follow in his father's footsteps into the panel-beating and body-spraying trade.

"He was a committed student who wanted to eventually have his own business and who had a passion for bikes and motorbikes," the statement said.

'Senseless attack'

"He had two part-time jobs alongside his studies and was a diligent and hard working person.

"This was such a senseless attack and there can be no justification for taking the life of somebody who had so much to live for and who was so loved by all that knew him."

A post-mortem examination gave the cause of death as a single stab wound to the heart.

Police say they are keeping an open mind about the motive for the murder.

Det Ch Insp Tony Nash, who is leading the inquiry, said: "This was a violent murder of a young man who had dreams and aspirations that will never be realised."