Mother of teenage stabbing victim pays tribute to ‘loving and thoughtful’ son

The mother of a teenager who was fatally stabbed in Coventry has paid tribute to her “loving and thoughtful” son.

Jaydon James died in hospital a short time after being attacked in the Wood End area late on November 24.

The 16-year-old’s mother, Gemma James, has said people who knew Jaydon “know who is responsible for my son’s death” and has urged them to speak to police.

Jaydon’s two friends who were also injured in the incident have since been released from hospital.

A 16-year-old youth who had been arrested on suspicion of murder was released on bail but subsequently charged with an unconnected robbery, West Midlands Police said.

After the stabbing, detectives refused to speculate on claims the victim was attacked “because of his postcode”.

Paying tribute to the teenager, Ms James said: “Jaydon was a loving son, brother, uncle, nephew and grandson.

“He was a kind person and thoughtful to others, especially the homeless, and he would often donate clothes to those less fortunate.

“I don’t want anyone to take matters into their own hands and to use Jaydon’s death as an excuse to start conflict or to seek their own retribution.

“That will not solve anything and would make an awful situation even worse.

“I want people to work with the police to get justice for Jaydon.

“I need people to tell them what happened and who was responsible.

“Justice needs to come through the courts and with the killer or killers spending their life behind bars − not by exacting any kind of revenge through violence.”

She added: “I know people out there, people who knew Jaydon, know who is responsible for my son’s death and I would urge them with all my heart to please do the right thing and speak to the police.”

West Midlands Police have asked anyone with information to come forward.