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Man stabbed schoolgirl to death Threats to stabbed girl 'ignored'
(9 minutes later)
A brain-damaged man was responsible for killing his 15-year-old ex-girlfriend, an Old Bailey jury has decided. The mother of a schoolgirl stabbed to death by an obsessive ex-boyfriend has said police ignored his threats.
Arsema Dawit was stabbed more than 30 times in a lift at the flats where she lived in Waterloo, central London. Arsema Dawit, 15, was stabbed more than 30 times in a lift at the flats where she lived in Waterloo, central London.
Defendant Thomas Nugusse, 22, was unable to take part in the trial because he had suffered brain damage in a suicide attempt in prison. Defendant Thomas Nugusse, 22, could not be tried because he suffered brain damage in a suicide attempt in prison.
Nugusse killed Arsema on 2 June 2008, despite warnings to police from her mother that he was dangerous. Arsema's mother Tsehaynesh Medhane said police ignored her warnings that Nugusse was a danger to her daughter. The police watchdog is investigating.
As a result of Nugusse's injuries, the jury was asked only to decide if Nugusse was responsible for the killing in June last year. It would have been better if the murderer had taken all our lives not just Arsema's Tsehaynesh Medhane
Mrs Medhane said she awaited the outcome of an Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) investigation and added: "I believe Arsema's life could have been saved if the police had taken action when I approached them."
She also said: "My body is alive but my spirit is dead and I feel with her death I died too.
"It would have been better if the murderer had taken all our lives not just Arsema's as we have not been able to live our lives since that terrible day."
IPCC commissioner Rachel Cerfontyne said: "IPCC investigators will now examine the circumstances surrounding the police contact with Arsema between 30 April and 2 June 2008.
"In particular we will look at how the police responded to an initial report made by Arsema at Kennington police station on 30 April of assault and threats to kill, and the subsequent investigation by officers from a neighbouring borough."
Unfit to plead
As a result of Nugusse's injuries, the Old Bailey jury was asked only to decide if he was responsible for the killing in June last year.
Nugusse, of Ilford, east London, was sent to a mental hospital without limit of time.Nugusse, of Ilford, east London, was sent to a mental hospital without limit of time.
He was initially charged with murder but because of the brain damage he suffered it was decided that he was unfit to plead.He was initially charged with murder but because of the brain damage he suffered it was decided that he was unfit to plead.
She was my precious child and there are no words to express how I feel Tsehaynesh Medhani Consequently the jury was not allowed to return conventional innocent or guilty verdicts and instead found that Nugusse had "committed the acts".
Consequently the jury was not allowed to return conventional innocent or guilty verdicts and instead found that Nugusse "committed the acts". Arsema's mother (centre) has asked questions of the police
Nugusse and Arsema had been in a relationship for two years but his behaviour became too much for her and she ended it.Nugusse and Arsema had been in a relationship for two years but his behaviour became too much for her and she ended it.
On 16 April 2008 he punched her at a McDonald's restaurant in Walworth, south-east London, blackening her eye, after she said hello to a male friend.On 16 April 2008 he punched her at a McDonald's restaurant in Walworth, south-east London, blackening her eye, after she said hello to a male friend.
Her mother, Tsehaynesh Medhane, called in the police, but Arsema was unwilling to file a formal complaint. Mrs Medhane made a statement in which she said Nugusse had called threatening Arsema and said he would find her and kill her.
Threats to kill She went with her daughter to Kennington police station and asked officers to arrest him.
Mrs Medhane complained that officers had failed to save her daughter. An inquiry has been ordered by the Independent Police Complaints Commission. Philip King QC, defending, said Nugusse was unlikely ever to be able to live an independent life.
TEENAGE DEATHS Full list of teenagers violently killed in the UK since January 2008
She made a statement in which she said Nugusse had called threatening Arsema and said he would find her and kill her.
Mrs Medhane went to Kennington police station and asked officers to arrest him.
She told the judge in a statement: "I have lost hope. My daughter is constantly in my mind.
"She was my precious child and there are no words to express how I feel. The house feels empty."
Philip King QC, defending, said Nugusse was unlikely to ever be able to live an independent life.
The court heard shortly after Arsema was killed, on 2 June 2008, Nugusse made a 999 call in which he admitted having killed her. He was arrested shortly after.The court heard shortly after Arsema was killed, on 2 June 2008, Nugusse made a 999 call in which he admitted having killed her. He was arrested shortly after.
While on remand he tried to hang himself and suffered severe brain damage. While on remand he tried to hang himself, causing his severe brain injuries.
The jury had been shown CCTV footage of Nugusse following Arsema towards her home and also heard a tape of the 999 call in which Nugusse admitted killing her.The jury had been shown CCTV footage of Nugusse following Arsema towards her home and also heard a tape of the 999 call in which Nugusse admitted killing her.
Outside court, Det Insp Clive Heyes said: "It is a tragic set of circumstances and a horrible crime." Outside the court, Det Insp Clive Heyes of the Metropolitan Police said: "It is a tragic set of circumstances and a horrible crime."
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