The mother of a schoolgirl who was stabbed to death has delivered a powerful message to parents following the sentencing of her daughter's killer. Ava White, 12, died after she was stabbed by a 15-year-old boy, who cannot be named for legal reasons, in Liverpool city centre.
As reported in the ECHO, her killer, known as Boy A, has been sentenced for a minimum of 13 years at Liverpool Crown Court today (July 11).
In a video released by Merseyside Police after the sentencing of Boy A, Leanne White spoke about the heartbreak of losing her daughter, the effect on her family and urged parents to keep a close eye on what their children are buying online.
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Describing Ava, she said: "Ava was a good baby, she never cried, she never moaned - she was always happy, a bubbly, outgoing, the life and soul of the party little girl.
"She loved swimming, gymnastics, she loved travelling, she loved the fair, she loved the water parks, just very outgoing. Football as well, she won trophies for football.
Leanne added: "The effect on my family is that I can’t see my nieces and nephews any more, we can’t celebrate anything as a family, it’s just too painful and hurtful without Ava. It’s had a deep impact on her friends, her friends witnessed that night, things that no child should ever witness.
"Even the adults that came to Ava’s aid on that night, it’s had a deep impact on them as well." Speaking about how to avoid similar tragedies happening in the future, Leanne said: She said: " I think education is key.
"I think we need to be going into primary schools and starting at a young age to educate the kids of what carrying a knife does, the effects that it has on the families and the child that’s lost their life and the family.
"If you put a knife in your pocket, you’re intending to use it. You’re not only destroying your own life but the life of your family as well.
"I think more parents maybe need to be aware of what their kids are actually buying online - when it’s getting delivered, who’s paying for it, because the knives that these kids are carrying around now are just not normal kitchen knives, they’re flick knives, they’re pen knives, they’re hunting knives. So, who’s paying for them? Who’s taking the delivery?"
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