Inconsolable mother of stabbed teenager cancels Christmas

The grieving mother of a teenager stabbed to death on the streets of London has cancelled Christmas this year.

Fourteen-year-old Jermaine Cools was stabbed to death near West Croydon station at 6.40pm in November.

His devastated mother Lorraine Dudek, 35, expressed her grief over her son's death, saying: “The one thing I want for Christmas that can never happen – that is for Jermaine to come back.”

She said Christmas had to be put on hold this year as she was still grieving her loss a month after the murder.

“We don't celebrate Christmas because Jermaine was the family member who enjoyed Christmas the most,” she told The Standard.

“As a family, we are too devastated by the loss of Jermaine to imagine life without him.

“He always gave presents to his family and enjoyed spending the day with us.”

Paying tribute to the “life and soul” of her home, she added: “Jermaine was my life, we were so close and together all the time. I miss his laugh, he was always laughing.”

“I miss the joy he brought to our family and our home. Without him, it's just sad. For Christmas, I only wish for one thing that can never happen: to have Jermaine back.”

Jermaine's death on November 18 made him the 27th teenager killed in the capital in 2021.

Scotland Yard has already warned that the death toll this year could exceed 30 young people for the first time, surpassing the record of 29 in 2008.

Det Ch Insp Richard Vandenbergh said: “Jermaine was a central member of his family and his parents are devastated to be without a son.”

“At the very least, they deserve an explanation as to why their son was killed and the police will continue to work tirelessly to ensure those responsible are brought to justice.”

Jermaine's family has also started a fundraiser to pay for his funeral and “say goodbye to our beautiful, loving and happy son.”

To donate, click here.