Make violent boys do national service, says murdered Ben's sister

The sister of murdered teenager Ben Kinsella today called for the reintroduction of national service to combat knife crime.

Former EastEnders' actress Brooke, 24, said violent boys should be made to channel their aggression productively in the armed forces because current measures such as weapon amnesties were not tough enough.

In an interview broadcast on GMTV this morning, she said: "If these young boys want to pick up a weapon and fight then we let them go over to national service and fight for a good cause." Ben, 16, was stabbed early on Sunday outside an Islington club after a night out with friends to celebrate the end of their GCSEs. He was attacked by a gang of four youths following an argument earlier in the evening.

Miss Kinsella, one of four siblings, revealed her brother had been threatened with a knife once in the past, but had managed to calm the situation.

"He was scared, he sat down at the time and said 'that was the scariest thing' but he just carried on," she said. In an essay Ben had written he was the main character who was stabbed, but forgave his killer. Miss Kinsella said: "It's six lives that have been taken ... At the moment I can't bring myself to forgive what they've done to my mum and dad."

She added that her "biggest wish" now was that witnesses came forward in the murder hunt.

Miss Kinsella revealed how she kissed her brother goodbye and promised to catch his killers as his life slipped away in hospital.

In an emotional interview she said: "I took his hand and kissed him goodbye, telling him I loved him and I was so very sorry - but that I would always be proud of him. He looked like an angel. He had a lot of stab wounds but thankfully they hadn't touched his face, for which I will be eternally grateful. He just looked so beautiful.

"I'm haunted by the fact that Ben's killers are the last faces he saw. And if it takes me forever, I will find them and try to face them in court."

Miss Kinsella told how she was called by her sister, Jade, at about 2am on Sunday. Together, they went to the hospital and called their parents, who were at their holiday home in Kent.

At 3am they received the news that Ben was in a critical condition. By 6am doctors had finished operating and the family faced an anxious wait.

Miss Kinsella said: "He was moved to intensive care but as my parents went to him his kidneys failed. It's as if he was waiting for them. He was gone within five minutes."

The family have set up a fund and launched a website in his memory to fight knife crime.

Donations can be made on the site, which contains a message from Miss Kinsella thanking people for their messages of support.

Two youths, aged 18 and 19, arrested after the killing are still in police custody.