A 13-YEAR-OLD boy was stabbed to death after being "lured" to a park by a girl before being "ambushed" by two teenage boys who left him to die, a court has heard.
Olly Stephens was killed just 250 yards from his home on a field in Emmer Green, a leafy suburb of Reading, on January 3 this year.
Jurors were told how the girl, aged 14, orchestrated the attack with the two boys who were said to have had "grievances" with Olly.
The two teenage boys, who are now both 14, denied murdering the schoolboy during their trial at Reading Crown Court.
The girl and one of the boys have both admitted manslaughter.
None of the trio can be named for legal reasons.
In her opening statements, prosecutor Alison Morgan QC said, "(The girl) lured Olly to the location of the attack, in a place called Bugs Bottom, and she lured him to allow the attack to be carried out by the two defendants.
"The attack had been planned by the defendants in the days leading up to the attack.
"The defendants were motivated by perceived grievances with Olly. At least one of the two of them had a knife with them.
"They carried out a joint attack, during the course of which one of the two of them used the knife they were carrying to stab Olly – once to the chest and once to the back."
The pair then fled the scene before trying to get rid of any evidence, such as mobile phone data and the clothes they had worn during the attack, the court heard.
Ms Morgan said the younger boy, who was 13 at the time, used the knife to stab Olly but that his older pal must have known he was carrying the weapon.
She said the girl was also present at the scene during the attack.
"Putting it bluntly, Olly was ambushed by these defendants," Ms Morgan continued.
"He was physically attacked by (the two boys) and with (the girl) standing by, lending assistance by her presence.
"There were others who were also present but did not play a significant role in the attack."
Olly's heartbroken family said in an earlier statement, "An Olly-sized hole has been left in our hearts.
"Oliver was an enigma, having both autism and suspected pathological demand avoidance he became a challenge we never shied away from.
"He could get his own way with a wry smile and a cheeky grin.
"He always stood his ground and fought for the underdog while having an amazing depth of love, warmth and wit."
The trial is being held in special circumstances due to the ages of the defendants, seeing counsel removing their wigs and gowns.
The trial continues.
Source: Read Full Article
