Stabbed Kayser bullied by gang

Teenage murder victim Kayser Osman had been the victim of a bullying campaign by a gang of knife-wielding youths in the months before his death.

His family say they reported the incidents to the police but nothing effective was done. And his mother now wants to return with her other children their former homeland, Somalia, because she feel they would be safer there.

Kayser, 15, died from a single knife wound after being attacked by a gang of youths on the Church End estate in Harlesden as he walked home from a youth club on Tuesday.

After what police think was a row about a football match, Somalian-born Kayser was stabbed during the pushing and shoving that followed.

In the months before his death, the Evening Standard has learned, Kayser had been the victim of a sustained and vicious campaign of bullying and intimidation by teenagers.

A gang of youths armed with knives would gather at night outside the Osman family home in Bruce Road, Harlesden, to taunt Kayser, a pupil at Willesden High School.

Ismail Osman, the dead boy's uncle, said today: "They would bang on the door and shout: 'We are going to kill you. Come out you chicken. Why are you hiding behind your mother?' One boy would open his jacket to show the knife he had hidden inside.

"Kayser was attacked many times and something should have been done. I know Kayser's mother reported the incidents to the police."

Scotland Yard today revealed two teenagers were charged and prosecuted in September 2000 for inflicting a serious beating on Kayser, who was kicked and punched to the ground. One teenager was convicted by magistrates of actual bodily harm and given a community service order, while another boy was acquitted.

In August 2000, Kayser also reported to police that he had been assaulted but may have withdrawn the allegation because he was scared. During the past few months he is understood to have been involved in a fight and was kicked in the face, losing several teeth. No knives were used. Officers do not believe the killer was involved in the previous incidents.

One officer said today: "He has been in scrapes before which is no different to many other youths living in the area."

Meanwhile, Mr Osman revealed that Kayser's mother, Marian, 41, has been so grief stricken since the death she feels Kayser's brothers and sisters would have a better chance of survival back in Somalia, the homeland they fled to escape a bitter civil war in 1989. "She has been unable to sleep since the killing.

"She brought her children here for a better life 13 years ago, but if this is what London is like, then she wants to go back to Somalia. It is too lawless.

"After she was told Kayser was dead, she was in shock. She couldn't speak for two hours and didn't sleep for two days.

"Kayser has four brothers and sisters aged between nine and 16 years. His mother is determined nothing like this will happen to them."

Scotland Yard have been told the names of two key suspects - one who may have used the knife and a second youth - who have been involved in a feud with the 15-year-old GCSE pupil.

Police say they are making "progress" with the murder hunt.

Detective Superintendent Lewis Benjamin, who believes Kayser was stabbed by someone he knew, said today: "This was a shocking attack and we would appeal to anybody who knows anything about it or are friends of Kayser's or knew him to contact police."

Anyone with information should call police on 020 8247 7911 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

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