17-year-old murdered on New Years eve

.. came to UK to find a better life
A teenager who came to Britain in the hope of building a better future was stabbed to death on his way home from a New Year's Eve celebration with friends.

Stephen Boachie, a 17-year-old A-level student, was knifed in the abdomen and chest on a petrol station forecourt.

He was just 700 yards from his home in Dagenham, East London, when he was attacked.

Stephen, who came from Ghana six years ago and hoped to go to university and become an engineer, is believed to have got into an argument with a group of youths at about 5.20am on January 1.

Yesterday his father Kwasi Boachie, a 49-year-old security officer, told how his son had come to Britain to finish his schooling.

"I wanted him to have a better education, but unfortunately it is all over," he said. "Somebody has taken it all away.

"All I would say to the killers is that to take a human life that is so precious is a terrible thing. Life is valuable and they need to stop and never do this again.

"Stephen was a very calm and sociable person, and he liked school. He was also training to become a Jehovah's Witness and attended meetings with me three times a week.

"Usually, he would tell me where he was going. But I went to bed early on New Year's Eve and I did not realise he had gone out.

"At about noon, I was called by the police who told me my son had been stabbed."

Stephen, who had applied to go to university in Birmingham this autumn, lived with his father and 44-year-old stepmother Sandra Bonne in a three-bedroom terrace house. His mother, Isebella Akomiah, lives in Wood Green, North London.

He has two brothers still in Ghana - Fosu, 18, who is at university studying agriculture, and 15-year-old Kwaku.

Mr Boachie, who came to Britain alone 15 years ago when his family fell upon hard times, told how he had given Stephen a computer as a gift for doing so well in his GCSEs before going on to Newham Sixth Form College.

"If Stephen was to have finished his education here, he would have been better off than his brothers," he added.

"I just hope people come forward and help bring those who are responsible to justice."

Last night, college staff paid tribute to the bright teenager, who was due to take A-levels in biology, mathematics and business studies.

"Stephen was a hard-working and determined student who had a great sense of humour," said tutor Ore Oni. "He was attentive in class and always had a positive attitude to his studies.

"Everyone at the college is deeply saddened to hear of his tragic and untimely death and our deepest condolences go out to his family."

College principal Sid Hughes said: "The whole college community is deeply shocked to learn of this tragic news.

"Our thoughts and deepest sympathy goes out to Stephen's parents and the family."

Police, who have not yet made any arrests, say they are keeping an "open mind" about the motive for the attack.

They are understood to be checking CCTV footage from the Shell petrol station in Ripple Road, Barking, for clues.

They are also trying to get in touch with anyone who attended a New Year's Eve party at a nearby pub, the Thatched House.

Detective Chief Inspector Simon Moring said: "We know there was a large gathering at the pub. It is likely that people would have been leaving the party at around the time of the murder and may have seen what happened.

"I am also appealing to people in the forecourt of the garage at the time of the incident to come forward, as they may have information which could be useful to police."