BBC London Home affairs correspondentSix men have received life sentences for the murder of 17-year-old Michael Jonas, who was stabbed in a London park in 2017. His father, also called Michael, reflects on the loss of his son and why, even after all charges were dropped early on in the case, he never gave up hope for justice.
“We can live in peace, knowing that we have removed six of the most dangerous youths from Penge,” Mr Jonas tells those who have gathered.It has been a long and difficult wait for justice. Within weeks, six teenagers had been charged with Michael’s murder. CCTV had captured a group of young people on bikes just outside the park.
“People don’t talk to the police. People think police are the bad guys. But if someone does something to your family, and you have to tell the authority what happens, does that make you a snitch? That doesn’t make you a snitch.” Brown was sentenced to a minimum of 12 years while Sarraviho Smith was sentenced to a minimum term of 17 years, which took into account the remaining time he is currently serving for an attempted robbery.He hopes their conviction sends a strong message to young people prepared to carry knives.