Father of 17-year-old Cambridge stabbing victim Jesse Nwokejiobi ‘forgives’ attacker

The father of 17-year-old Jesse Nwokejiobi who was stabbed to death in Cambridge last month has said that while he is “devastated” by the loss of his son he “can’t hate” the attacker and is prepared to forgive them.

Henry Nwokejiob spoke out about his belief that people do not fully understand the consequences of carrying knives and said he “sorry” for whoever caused his son’s death.

The 60-year-old, of Mill Hill in north-west London, explained that his Christian faith meant that he was prepared to forgive the person who stabbed his son.

Henry said: “The person who did this is probably out there crying feeling remorseful for what they have done… They will be feeling uncomfortable about what has happened. I don’t hate him, I can’t hate him. I’m a Christian and I have been brought up to believe that if you don’t forgive you don’t have the authority to go to God and ask for forgiveness for yourself.”

He added: “I feel sorry for them and I forgive them.”

Speaking out about the growing problem of knife crime, he said of those who carry knives: “They don’t think about the consequences of what they are doing.”

Aspiring electrical engineer Jesse Nwokejiobi, 17, died at the scene after an attack near Logan’s Meadow, a small reserve next to the River Cam, in the early hours of November 19.

A post-mortem examination recorded that he died from a stab wound to his chest. Two 16-year-old boys, who were arrested at properties in south London, have been charged with his murder and appeared before Huntingdon Magistrates’ Court on Thursday.

Jesse’s father said he is estranged from the boy’s mother Rita, and that Jesse moved from London in February to live with her in Cambridge.

Henry is now calling for more frequent knife amnesties to take place in Cambridge and an educational campaign to warn teenagers about the dangers of carrying knives, including talking about the victims of stabbings.

“The police are trying their best I have been told there is a knife amnesty in Cambridge right now. It's a good move. I think it should be done three times a year with pictures of those people who have been stabbed to death put on the news.”

He wanted to bring home the message to young people that using a knife on someone is very likely to kill them.

He said: “I don’t think they understand that stabbing someone will end their life. We need to make the kids understand the dangers of carrying knives.”

And he said: “There is a fashion for kids carrying knives and the knives they carry are not the sort you can get in Tesco or Sainsbury's: they can only have got them online. Something has to be done about this.”

Henry explained that Jesse had lived with him from 2019 but was initially relieved when he had returned to live with his mother in Cambridge in February this year because he thought the city was safer than London.

He said: “Things were happening in that area. I live in Mill Hill, north-west London, things were not really right with a lot of kids, things happening there.

“I said to him, ‘Jesse, go and live with your mum for a while’. That was the last time I saw him.”

He said Jesse had lived with him in London for at least three years before that point.

“Honestly I thought he would be safer in Cambridge,” said Mr Nwokejiobi. “Cambridge is not known for that kind of stuff - stabbings.”

He said his son would not carry a knife, and that he “had a lot of words with Jesse about knife crime”.

“I’ve told him ‘avoid knife crime’,” said Mr Nwokejiobi. “I see a lot happen on the news.

“As a child they think they’re invincible. They think they will never die.”

He said he warned Jesse not to get involved in violence.

“I always told him, if you’re with your friend and someone tries to attack your friend, just run away or call the police,” he said.

“Getting involved, you could get attacked yourself, or they could have it in for you later. I’ve always told my son about this.”

He said that “whoever stabbed Jesse is not thinking”, adding: “There’s more education required to make kids understand the dangers of carrying a knife.

He said he learned what happened to his son “from the news”, adding: “I wasn’t happy the way I heard it.”

Paying tribute to Jesse, Mr Nwokejiobi said: “When you see him, it’s hard not to like him. He’s got this infectious smile about him.

“He’s fun and very intelligent as well, in education he was one of the top in the school.”

He said Jesse was interested in studying medicine before turning his attention to electrical engineering.

“I think he has a bit of a fear of seeing blood, that’s what he didn’t like, I think that’s why he changed his mind,” said Mr Nwokejiobi.

“But overall, Jesse, what a tragic loss. I’m sure he had so much to offer to the world and his family.”

He said his 6ft 6in-tall son loved playing rugby and singing, adding: “He does rapping as well.”

Jesse was the middle brother of five, he said, with the other four aged 23, 22, 13 and 11.

In a tribute released through police, Jesse’s mother Rita said: “I will miss your smile, calls, hugs, play, music, help, birthdays, prayers, outings, and everything.

“My physical time with you is now over, but your memory will live on in our hearts and you will always be remembered for your love and selflessness.”

The two 16-year-old boys who are charged with Jesse’s murder have been remanded in youth detention and are due to appear at Cambridge Crown Court for a preliminary hearing on Monday.