16/12/2009

Teen Detained Over Bullying Death

A teenage girl who bullied another teenager until she jumped to her death from a window has been detained for eight years.

Hatice Can, 15, of Belvedere, Kent, was found guilty last month of the manslaughter of 19-year-old Rosimeiri Boxall, along with her co-defendant Kemi Ajose, also 19, from Charlton, south-east London.

Ajose was ordered to be detained without a time limit at a psychiatric hospital. She had a history of mental health problems.

The Old Bailey heard how Miss Boxall, the Brazilian-born adopted daughter of an Anglican missionary, Simon Boxall, and his wife, Rachel, had been beaten and bullied by Can and Ajose at Ajose's flat in Blackheath last May.

Miss Boxall had been attacked in a row over a boy, which lead to her jumping from a third-floor window in order to escape the attack.

As she lay dying, the court heard how Can, who was described as the leader in the attack, was said to have shouted "Serves you right" at her.

Miss Boxall had been adopted by her parents after being abandoned by her alcoholic mother. She had been staying with Ajose at the time of the attack.

At sentencing, Judge Peter Thornton described the attacj as "cruel, abject bullying", which was "ugly, vicious and repeated". He also noted that neither girl had shown any remorse for the attack, adding that Ajose had continued to bully vulnerable women while being held in custody at Holloway Prison.

Miss Boxall's parents have said that they have forgiven the bullies.

(KMcA/BMcC)

Related UK National News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.

05 March 2008
Man Found Guilty Of 'First Date' Murder
A man has been found guilty of murdering a woman on his first date with her. Fitness instructor Karl Taylor, 27, of Covent Garden, central London had denied murdering Kate Beagley in May last year. The 32-year-old Centrica manager from Walton-on-Thames in Surrey was not seen again after meeting Taylor for a drink.
14 March 2006
British office attacked in Gaza
Protestors have set fire to the British council building in Gaza, following an Israeli raid on a Palestinian prison. It has also been reported that several foreign nationals, including a Swiss Red Cross official, two French citizens and a Korean have been taken hostage.
29 April 2005
Labour attacked over GP targets
Prime Minister Tony Blair faced tough questioning over GP appointments on BBC’s Question Time show last night. Audience member Diana Church told Mr Blair that her GP would not grant appointments unless they were made within 48 hours beforehand in order to meet targets.
28 April 2005
Attacked pensioner dies in hospital
An 86-year-old woman who was attacked in her home by two young intruders has died in hospital. Mrs Kathleen Roberts, a widow, had been discovered hiding in a utility room at her home in Stockton, Cleveland, earlier this week.
23 June 2003
NPFA says playing fields ‘attacked from all sides’
The National Playing Fields Association (NPFA) has claimed today that playing fields are being built on at an unprecedented rate, and alleged that the government and its agencies are doing little to reverse the trend.