A killing which shocked a nation: Damilola Taylor stabbing 20 years on

The killing of Damilola Taylor in Peckham sparked headlines across the world – and caused ripples in many lives.

The 10-year-old pupil of Oliver Goldsmith’s Primary School was walking home from a computer club past Peckham library when he was stabbed to death.

The boy had travelled to the UK with his family in August to allow his sister Gbemi to get treatment for her epilepsy. 

They had been here for only a few months when Damilola was killed on November 27, 2000.

Two unsuccessful trials followed, but his parents Richard and Gloria Taylor persisted in their campaign for a conviction. 

They set up the Damilola Taylor Trust, which aims to help young people in deprived and inner city areas.

CCTV footage from the night the 10-year-old died shows him leaving Peckham Library at 4.51pm.

Damilola is seen skipping home, smiling – but just 15 minutes later he was bleeding to death in a stairwell on the now-demolished North Peckham Estate.

Police believe he had upset someone at school and their elder brother intercepted him on the way home.

The schoolboy was stabbed in the leg with a piece of broken glass. Local workmen tried to save his life but he died within 30 minutes – 10 days short of his 11th birthday.

Star Wars actor John Boyega and his sister Grace were some of the last people to be spotted on the CCTV footage with Damilola, while escorting him part of the way home.

The three were friends and the Boyegas helped babysit him. Dami’s dad Richard Taylor said: “Damilola and John and Grace were so close. They were looking after him when he arrived in the UK, because they went to school together.

“They were the last to see him. They wanted to escort him home, but he said he was going to be OK. They left him by the junction then he went around the corner and the gang were waiting for him.”

And John has never forgotten his childhood pal, and nominated the trust to receive a donation from the Star Wars launch.

Richard added: “John’s promoting Peckham, not denying his roots. Damilola could have been doing the same thing.

“I can see through those friends the life Damilola might have lived. He dreamed of being a doctor.

“Many of those who grew up in scandalous housing on the North Peckham still made a name for themselves. Some are GPs, accountants, footballers or in the media.

“I’m so proud that they lived under those unbearable circumstances, struggled through life but have done very well like Yinka Bokinni and John Boyega.”

Also a former resident of the estate is rapper and actor Ashley Walters, star of Top Boy. He said: “Everyone knew each other and we had an abundance of love, family and community. We feel the weight and the pain. 

“If your image of Peckham is of poor people and violence, they are expecting you to fail. But it was home. And I don’t ever remember feeling like I should be somewhere else. It made me.”

Pictured: Damilola Taylor, left, Stairwell where Damilola’s body was found, right