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| Version 0 | Version 1 |
|---|---|
| Murdered boy mural to be removed | Murdered boy mural to be removed |
| (about 3 hours later) | |
| An 8ft-high mural in memory of murdered teenager Billy Cox is to be painted over by council workmen. | An 8ft-high mural in memory of murdered teenager Billy Cox is to be painted over by council workmen. |
| The artwork was created by a professional graffiti artist yards from 15-year-old Billy's home in Clapham North, London, where he was shot dead. | The artwork was created by a professional graffiti artist yards from 15-year-old Billy's home in Clapham North, London, where he was shot dead. |
| The decision has angered some of his friends who want the mural to stay. | The decision has angered some of his friends who want the mural to stay. |
| But Lambeth Council said after talks with youngsters it had been agreed a permanent memorial will be made available in a nearby play area. | But Lambeth Council said after talks with youngsters it had been agreed a permanent memorial will be made available in a nearby play area. |
| Spate of shootings | Spate of shootings |
| The council said the tenants' association had made it clear residents did not want a constant reminder of the tragedy as they go about their daily lives. | The council said the tenants' association had made it clear residents did not want a constant reminder of the tragedy as they go about their daily lives. |
| A statement said the site of the current mural was a temporary agreement and that people would be able to leave messages on a wall in Willington Road Youth Play Area. | A statement said the site of the current mural was a temporary agreement and that people would be able to leave messages on a wall in Willington Road Youth Play Area. |
| It's important that we send out the right message to young people Pastor Les Isaac | |
| Pastor Les Isaac, who works with youngsters on the Fenwick Estate, said there were mixed feelings among the community. | |
| "There is shock and grief that a young life has been taken and people are trying to express that. | |
| "Others are saying the boy wasn't a saint and what does it say to those who are on a fringe of a bad lifestyle." | |
| He said that there needed to be a period of reflection and discussions among the community before any decision was taken. | |
| "It's important that we send out the right message to young people," the pastor said. | |
| Billy, 15, died when he was shot in the chest inside the ground floor maisonette in Fenwick Place on 14 February. | Billy, 15, died when he was shot in the chest inside the ground floor maisonette in Fenwick Place on 14 February. |
| He was the third teenager killed in south London during a two-week spate of shootings. | He was the third teenager killed in south London during a two-week spate of shootings. |