Two 14-year-old boys have been sentenced at Reading Crown Court to 13 years and 12 years respectively in a young offenders institution for the murder of autistic 13-year-old Olly Stephens in Emmer Green, Reading, on January 3 this year.
The parents of 13-year-old Oliver Stephens say they are “completely broken” by their son’s murder.
Stuart and Amanda (centre) Stephens outside Reading Crown Court ahead of the sentencing of two 14-year-old boys who were found guilty of murdering their 13-year-old son Olly Stephens.
Steve Parsons
Olly, who had autism, was lured to a field in Emmer Green, Reading, by a girl he knew on January 3 this year, where he was knifed to death by two of his former friends who were lying in wait.
Speaking at the sentencing hearing on Friday of the three teenagers convicted of Olly’s killing, Stuart Stephens said: “We are strong enough to deal with most problems thrown our way but this has completely broken us.”
Mr Stephens told Reading Crown Court: “Olly trusted people too much, it was part of his make-up, it was part of his autism – it was why we loved him.
“He knew no sense of danger, he stood up for himself in a confrontation and was unable to back down, but was kind and loving.”
Reading Crown Court, Reading.
Martin Halfpenny
Mr Stephens described the “utterly horrific” moment he was told his son’s body was now forensic evidence, and that he would no longer be able to hold him or touch him.
“Had he asked me for help that day, I would have moved heaven and earth to give it to him,” he said.
In a victim impact statement, he added: “I had one job as a father, to protect my children, and I failed miserably – I will never forgive myself.”
He added: “(Olly) didn’t deserve his fate no matter what he might have said or done, no child deserves such a callous fate.”
Olly’s death came following a dispute on social media, in which the teenager had apparently defended another boy.
His mother Amanda Stephens added in an impact statement: “Olly always stood up for the underdog, it got him into trouble, but that was just him.”
I had one job as a father, to protect my children, and I failed miserably
Two boys were convicted of murdering Olly, described by his family as a “warm, kind, soulful” boy, following a trial at the same court this summer.
A girl, who set up the “ambush”, already admitted manslaughter and did not stand trial.
The three defendants, all now 14, cannot be named because of their age.
The trial previously heard that the victim, widely known as Olly, was convinced to go to Bugs Bottom field near his home in Emmer Green, by the girl, where he was then “ambushed” by the two boys and stabbed to death.
The court heard both boys had “grievances” with Olly, while the girl is said to have described any violence against him as “karma” in the run-up to his death.
It was said that the younger of the two boys, aged 13 at the time, inflicted the fatal blows on Olly’s body.
The trial was held in special conditions, with frequent breaks and counsel removing their gowns and wigs, due to the defendants’ ages.
