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Family mark anniversary of Steede attack

Lyrico Steede, 17, in a picture released by Nottinghamshire Police (Photograph supplied)

A grieving mother implored young people to reject violence on the anniversary of a fatal attack on her son in a park in an English city.

Lyrico Steede, 17, died in hospital five days after he was stabbed on February 13 last year by a group of teenagers in Nottingham — who have since been convicted.

Keishaye Steede said: “To all my youngers, please put down your weapons. Learn to channel your anger in a more positive light.

“I know this road life is real for you and I get that — but there are other alternatives than to seek to damage or kill what you feel may be a threat or your enemy.”

Ms Steede added: “The only enemy here is the source you allow in your mind and spirit who tells you that evil is OK.”

A Nottingham Crown Court jury heard earlier this year that a feud over social media between rival groups of teenagers led to the ambush that claimed Mr Steede’s life.

Kasharn Campbell, 19, was sentenced to 20 years in January and Christian Jameson, 18, was sentenced to 16 years for the murder.

Three other teenagers were jailed for manslaughter.

Remmell Miller-Campbell, 18, was jailed for nine years and a 17-year-old boy, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was sentenced to 7½ years.

A 16-year-old girl, who also cannot be identified, was sentenced to six years.

Mr Steede was lured to a meeting with the girl at a park in the Bulwell area of Nottingham, an East Midlands city and home to many Bermudians living in the UK.

The student, who had moved to Nottingham five years earlier, was chased by the group and stabbed.

His mother said: “February 13, 2018 was when it all began. As I spoke after the trial and said that I forgive those involved with the murder of my son, I meant it.

“Forgiveness is for me, my heart, mind and soul. It doesn’t excuse the act but I am no one’s judge.

“I am here today to say how blessed I have been to have shared 17 years with my precious boy, Lyrico Jermaine Burrell Steede.

“He was so loving, so kind, smart, so brave, such a heaven sent. I won’t speak of the sadness, only of the joy he always brought.”

Ms Steede added: “His father and I gave him all the love we could give and it was always reciprocated right back. That brings me a great sense of peace.

“Such a unique boy he was. A big spirit like myself, so hard to comprehend.”

The feud had spilt over into online videos that featured “drill music” — a type of hip-hop concentrated on violence.

But Ms Steede said the music “doesn’t make you a gangster — that makes you ignorant”.

She added that “the realist is the one who can walk away, knowing they have the powers to shut it down and choose the positive light”.

She told young people: “Stop contributing to destroying your entire race and leaving families with heartache. It’s selfish and it’s wrong.

“Think of your mothers, your fathers, your grandparents, children and families. Wise up yourself, look at yourselves and know you’re strong.”

It is The Royal Gazette’s policy not to allow comments on stories regarding court cases. As we are legally liable for any libellous or defamatory comments made on our website, this move is for our protection as well as that of our readers.