Ben Kinsella: The murder that sparked a movement against knife crime
In 2008, Ben Kinsella was a regular teenager living a normal life. He attended school, had dreams of becoming a graphic designer, and had a big family with four sisters and one brother. In June 2008, Ben’s life was tragically cut short when he was stabbed to death by three men.
This case was not only a heartbreaking one. It was a defining moment for knife crime in the UK. Knife crime amongst teenagers was particularly prominent at the time, and Ben’s death symbolised a turning point in the fight against knife violence.
Crime+Investigation examines the events of that night, the trial that followed, and the remarkable legacy Ben's family have built in his name.
Who was Ben Kinsella?
Ben Kinsella was born in Islington, London, on 27th October 1991. He was one of six children born to school secretary Deborah Kinsella and cab driver George Kinsella. His older sister Brooke Kinsella was (and still is) an actress who was well known for her portrayal of Kelly Taylor in EastEnders from 2001 to 2004. Ben himself did some acting work too, with a bit part in an episode of the British television series The Bill.
Ben attended Holloway School in Islington and his hobbies included music, art and football. His favourite club was Arsenal FC and he also had a beloved dog called Teddy. Ben was determined to become a graphic designer when he got older and designed a logo featuring the letter K wearing a crown which became the official logo of the Ben Kinsella Trust and a symbol against knife crime after his murder.
Ben worked part-time in a cafe in Islington, and while working, he was threatened with a knife when someone tried to steal his mountain bike. After this incident, Ben wrote to Gordon Brown, the Prime Minister, as part of his English coursework assignment. The letter expressed his concerns for the growing knife crime epidemic. Ben also made suggestions on how to quell the problem, such as youth clubs, curfews and classes for parents.
The murder of Ben Kinsella
Ben had a night out with his friends to celebrate the end of the GCSE exams on 28th June, 2008. They went to a bar then called Shillibeers Brasserie Bar. While there, an altercation broke out between one of Ben’s friends and another man called Osman Ozdemir.
A friend of Ozdemir, Jade Braithwaite, joined the altercation and was heard making threatening remarks that suggested he had a knife and was willing to use it. For instance, Braithwaite was heard to say ‘Tell your boy if he wants trouble, I've got my tool on me and it will open you up.’
The fight escalated outside the bar, and it seemed as though the men had fled. However, they soon returned with two more people, Michael Alleyne and Juress Kika, with the intention of getting revenge on those who disrespected them.
Ben and his friends decided to go home, but on the way, they realised they were being followed. His friends started to run, but Ben did not, as he had not been involved in the altercation in any way and didn’t think he was in danger. Ben was cornered by Kika, Braithwaite and Alleyne. He was heard to say to the men ‘What are you coming over to me for? I haven't done anything.’
Ben was viciously attacked. He was punched and kicked until he fell to the ground. He was then stabbed 11 times in the back and chest. Ben died of blood loss at around 7:24am on 29th June 2008.
The arrest and trial
There was a plethora of evidence that proved that Braithwaite, Kika and Alleyne were guilty of Ben’s murder. This included significant CCTV footage, testimonies from witnesses and forensic evidence, such as Ben’s blood stains on the men's clothes.
The men pleaded not guilty to murder in October 2008. Their trial began on 27th April 2009 and lasted for seven weeks. A verdict of guilty for all three of them was given on 11th June, 2009. They each received a life imprisonment sentence with a minimum of 19 years.
Ben’s legacy
In the aftermath of his death, Ben’s family created the Ben Kinsella Trust. The trust is a leading anti-knife crime charity in the UK. Ben’s sister and actress Brooke was the major founder of the organisation and has been significantly involved with the delivery of its programs and campaigns.
The charity has also set up exhibitions related to putting a stop to knife-related violence and has created numerous award-winning knife crime prevention workshops.
Knife crime has certainly fallen over the years, but there is still plenty that can be done to reduce those numbers even further. The Ben Kinsella Trust continues its work today.
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