Twenty years on: The death of Damilola Taylor

27 November 2020, 06:02

Damilola Taylor was just ten years old when he was killed on November 27, 2000
Damilola Taylor was just ten years old when he was killed on November 27, 2000. Picture: PA

By Megan White

Today marks the 20th anniversary of the death of schoolboy Damilola Taylor, with a memorial service planned to mark the occasion postponed due to Covid.

Damilola was just ten years old when he was stabbed to death in Peckham, south east London, in 2000.

His tragic killing, killed on his way home from a local library, became a high-profile case that rocked the country.

Damilola’s family had moved to England just four months earlier in hope of a better life.

The Prime Minister and Mayor of London were both due to be part of the memorial ceremony at Southwark Cathedral, alongside Prince Charles and actor John Boyega, who was one of the last people to see Damilola alive.

It has now been rescheduled for May 19, with a full cathedral expected for the occasion.

Damilola Taylor's parents Richard and Gloria, outside the Old Bailey after the Preddie brothers were convicted of his manslaughter
Damilola Taylor's parents Richard and Gloria, outside the Old Bailey after the Preddie brothers were convicted of his manslaughter. Picture: PA

To mark the anniversary, Damilola’s father Richard set up the Hope Collective with footballer Rio Ferdinand, who grew up on the estate where Damilola died.

The Collective’s website says the campaign is “dedicated to young people and their aspirational stories of ambition and hope. The kind of young person Damilola was turning into.”

Ahead of Friday’s anniversary, Richard said: “What matters to me is not just focusing on the tragedy of that day but what we have achieved over the past 20 years. For this 20th anniversary and every anniversary, let’s give young people hope.”

But what has happened in the 20 years since Damilola’s death and what was its impact?

Danny Preddie (left) and his brother Ricky Preddie were both found guilty of the manslaughter Damilola Taylor
Danny Preddie (left) and his brother Ricky Preddie were both found guilty of the manslaughter Damilola Taylor. Picture: PA

Timeline

2000

27 November - Damilola Taylor is killed on his way home from a local library in Peckham, south east London.

He was found bleeding heavily in a stairwell on the North Peckham Estate but died in hospital shortly after.

The ten-year-old is thought to have been attacked with a broken bottle.

2 December - Several teens are arrested but are released without charge.

2001

19 January – Hundreds of people attend Damilola’s funeral in Plumstead, south east London.

June – Four teenagers are charged with murder. They all deny the charges.

27 November – One year since Damilola died, Prime Minister Tony Blair opens a youth centre in Peckham renamed in his honour.

2002

January – April - The trial begins at the Old Bailey but the case against two defendants collapses after the judge rules a witness was lying. It ends with the jury finding the remaining two teens not guilty of all charges.

2003

November - Police announce review of evidence using new forensic techniques.

2005

January – Three teenagers are charged with Damilola’s murder - Hassan Jihad, 19, and Danny and Ricky Preddie, aged 16 and 17, who could not be named at the time because of their age.

May – The three appear in court and plead not guilty.

2006

January – Trial opens. The prosecution claims the initial investigation missed spots of Damilola’s blood which were found on the accused’s clothing.

3 April – Hassan Jihad cleared of all charges.

4 April – Preddie brothers cleared of murder but the jury fails to reach a verdict on a manslaughter charge.

9 August – The pair are convicted of manslaughter after a retrial and sentenced to eight years in youth custody.

2008

April - Damilola’s mother Gloria dies after suffering a fatal heart attack.

2010

September – Ricky Preddie released, subject to recall if he breached any conditions of his release.

2011

Danny Preddie released.

Ricky Preddie recalled on 13 March after breaching parole conditions.

2012

Ricky Preddie released again before being recalled for a second time 16 days later after associating with gang members in Peckham. He was later released for a second time.

2019

On the 19th anniversary of Damilola’s death, anti-knife campaigners met to launch a year-long “year of hope” in which thousands of young people, youth workers and local communities came together to tackle youth violence.

More Latest News

See more More Latest News

Andrew Gwynne.

Health minister Andrew Gwynne sacked over comments posted in WhatsApp group

Police officers hold back protesters trying to block the road.

Two arrested as protesters clash with police outside proposed site for new Chinese ‘mega-embassy’ in London

Duke and Duchess of Sussex.

'She's terrible': Trump takes swipe at Meghan, but will not deport Prince Harry

Freed Palestinian prisoners are greeted by a crowd as they arrive in the Gaza Strip after being released from an Israeli prison following a ceasefire agreement between Hamas and Israel in Khan Younis, southern Gaza Strip.

Emotional scenes in West Bank and Gaza as Palestinians reunited with their families after release from Israeli prisons

Elsie Dot Stancombe, Alice Dasilva Aguiar and Bebe King.

'She was grateful for life': parents of Southport stabbing victims pay tribute to their children

Israeli hostage reunited with his family.

Emotional moment Israeli hostages reunite with families after being paraded on stage by Hamas

Police officers hold back protesters trying to block the road at the rally.

Protesters clash with police as thousands rally outside proposed site for new Chinese ‘mega-embassy’ in London

The father of the Huszti sisters has said he believes his daughters were "kidnapped" and "cruelly killed"

Heartbroken father of sisters found dead in River Dee believes they were 'lured to their death'

Hollyoaks star and country singer thought to be son of British couple shot dead in French villa ‘by UK gangsters’

Hollyoaks star breaks silence over death of mum found dead in French villa with her husband

Harvey Willgoose's parents Caroline Willgoose (left) and Mark (right) holder a banner as they march to Bramall Lane in memory of their son

Hundreds gather for memorial march after 15-year-old Harvey Willgoose stabbed to death at school in Sheffield

Police tell locals to stay away from Jeremy Clarkson’s pub due to large gathering of pony and traps

Police tell locals to stay away from Jeremy Clarkson’s pub due to large gathering of pony and traps

Pauline Quirke

Birds of a Feather star Pauline Quirke 'struggling to identify family members' amid dementia battle

Detail of the logo on a Sony PlayStation 5 home video game console

PlayStation Network hit with worldwide outage as tens of thousands of gamers locked out

The Government has ordered Apple to allow it to access encrypted files uploaded to the cloud by any Apple user worldwide, it has been reported.

UK Government orders Apple to give it access to users’ encrypted data in 'unprecedented attack on privacy'

The wreckage of the small commuter plane that crashed in western Alaska has been found

Missing Alaska Bering Air plane found with all 10 people on board confirmed dead

Hollyoaks star and country singer thought to be son of British couple shot dead in French villa ‘by UK gangsters’

Hollyoaks star and country singer thought to be son of British couple shot dead in French villa ‘by UK gangsters’