London: prayers for murdered schoolboy

Prayers were said in churches across the capital at the weekend for Kodjo Yenga, the 16 year old schoolboy killed by a gang in Hammersmith on Wednesday. Paul O'Shea, principal of St Charles Catholic Sixth Form College in west London said Kodjo had an excellent school record. Mr O'Shea said: ""He was an able student. More importantly, he was a friendly, gentle and peaceful young man who was regarded with great affection by his fellow students and his teachers. "In the recent reports that were prepared for our students, his teachers said that he was a pleasure to work with. He was a credit to his mother and wider family, to whom all the students and staff at St Charles College offer their heart-felt condolences. "He was a fine young man and we will miss him greatly." In a statement released through the police, Kodjo's mother, Ladjua Lesele, said: "I miss Kodjo and I will miss him forever. "My life with my boy was fantastic. We loved each other. We were really inseparable. I will miss him all my life." His mother later joined some 30 other members of his family on a visit to the scene of the death. Police sealed off the road to allow the family to mourn privately at the site. Kodjo's uncle Lubi said: "His loss is a big tragedy to our entire family. Right now, we are inconsolable and we can only turn to God for our comfort." Source: AH/BBC