Five teenagers arrested over fatal stabbing of 15-year-old

12 April 2012

15-year-old Michael Morgan is the latest victim of Britain's knife crime culture

Michael Morgan was found unconscious in a mobile home at a council-run caravan park in Lancing, West Sussex, at 10am yesterday. Paramedics pronounced him dead at the scene.

Four males, aged 19, 15, and two aged 16, and one 18-year-old woman were arrested and are being questioned, Sussex Police said.

Michael's mother, Helen Long, 35, of Nicholson Drive, Shoreham, West Sussex, said: "I'm finding it hard to take in and I cannot believe what has happened."

She said Michael was very sociable and had lots of friends. "Michael was a thoughtful and caring boy who could be very funny. He was popular."

His brother, Lewis, nine, and sisters, Laura, 14, and Emma, 12, were "devastated", she added.

Michael's stepfather, Michael Long, 39, said: "He was a lovely boy and a brilliant son. He wanted to be a carpenter."

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Michael was found in a mobile home at a council-run caravan park in Lancing

Sussex Police Detective Chief Inspector Adam Hibbert said: "We are aware from our inquiries so far that a group of young people, who knew each other, had gathered together inside a mobile home on Saturday evening to enjoy themselves.

"It is possible that some of the young people may not yet be aware of what has happened.

"I would ask that they make contact with my team, to help us piece together the circumstances which have tragically led to the premature death of a young person."

Michael is the latest in a series of teenagers to have been killed in the past three weeks in fatal incidents apparently involving other youths.

Schoolboy Martin Dinnegan, 14, was stabbed and killed in Islington, north London, last Tuesday, after being he and friends had become involved in an argument with a group of up to 20 youngsters.

Martin's brother James, 20, has described the moment he found him dying in the street. "I was distraught, in tears... The paramedics were working on Martin, trying to help him. A few minutes later one of them said he was dead. It was all so final. I felt numb. I still do.

A 16-year-old youth yesterday became the third person to be charged with Martin's murder. He will appear in court today alongside Sean Clarke, 20. A 15-year-old boy was remanded after appear in court on Saturday.

Ben Hitchcock, 16, was killed in Beckehnam, south-east London, on June 23, apparently after a run-in with a rival gang. That same night Annaka Keniesha Pinto, 17, from Tottenham, North London, was shot dead at a club close to her home.

Sian Simpson, 18, from Croydon, died on June 19 after being stabbed.

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