School row 'led to stab death of girl, 16'

A classroom row between two schoolgirls ended with one being stabbed through the heart by the mother of the other, police believe.

Nickola Lucas, 16, died on the doorstep of the other girl's home after she and her mother and father confronted the girl's family.

The two families lined up and an argument developed at the door of the house in Barnet - once the home of former EastEnders star Gillian Taylforth.

It ended in a single blow, which left Nickola lying in a pool of blood and, despite a 30-minute battle by air ambulance paramedics, she died on the pavement at about 9.30pm on Wednesday. It is believed the incident followed an argument at school between Nickola, who is black, and the other girl, whose family are Asian.

Residents in the quiet cul-de-sac watched in horror as the blood-soaked teenager lay dying. Dennis Challenor, 76, who lives next door said his neighbours "only moved in before Christmas".

Gurdeep Kaur, a 36-yearold woman, has been charged with Nickola's murder. She was due to appear at Hendon Magistrates Court today. A man and teenage girl who were arrested have been released on police bail.

Anyone with information is asked to call police on 020 8358 0330.