Parents pay tribute to stabbed son, 14, who wanted to change world

The parents of a 14-year-old schoolboy stabbed to death in London have told how their son had wanted to become a politician and change the world.

David Idowu became the youngest victim of knife crime in the capital when he died on Monday, three weeks after he was stabbed in Southwark, south London.

Yesterday, his parents, along with his brothers, Peter, 18, and James, 13, visited the spot where he was stabbed. His mother, Grace, fell to her knees and wept uncontrollably as she arrived. Clutching a balloon with "God Bless David" written on it, she knelt in the rain, singing a hymn until her family helped her to her feet.

Mrs Idowu, 48, and David's father, Tim, 56, released a statement revealing their son to be a deeply religious boy who had dreamt of going into politics and emulating his idol, Bill Clinton. Mrs Idowu, a supermarket check-out assistant, said: "We love you David but God loves you more. May your heart and soul rest in peace. David gave his life to Jesus Christ when he was 10 years old. David is with his heavenly father, but we shall see him again."

Mr Idowu, a bus driver, added: "He believed change can only come through good world leaders and had recently visited Madam Tussauds to have his picture taken with President Clinton who he admired and wanted to emulate."

In a reference to her son's death amid the growing knife problem in London, Mrs Idowu added: "The thief does not come except to steal and destroy, but Jesus Christ came that we may have life and have it more abundantly. The body of Christ let us call for revival on this great nation and God will hear us."

Odunayo Otti, a church elder of the Christ Apostolic Church in Bermondsey, where the family worship, added: "He was a sweet and loving boy; never mixed up in any trouble. He was always at church with his family and worked hard at school."

David became the 19th teenager to be stabbed to death in London this year. He was attacked on 17 June following an alleged altercation at a football pitch near Tabard Street in Southwark, close to his home.

The argument then moved to Great Dover Street where David was stabbed once in the stomach and once in the chest. Detectives have said that he may have been targeted because of his distinctive blue and grey Walworth Academy uniform. A 16-year-old boy from Catford, south-east London, has appeared at Camberwell youth court, charged with attempted murder.