26/05/2009

Youth Questioned Over Stabbing Death

A 13-year-old is being questioned over the murder of an aspiring footballer in east London.

Detectives were granted an extra 36 hours to detain the youth. They have until midday today to release or charge him.

A post mortem examination carried out on the body of 17-year-old Jahmal Mason-Blair, a talented footballer from Hackney, east London, found he died from a stab wound to the neck.

Scotland Yard said the 13-year-old was arrested in east London at 8.30pm on Saturday night and is still being held at an east London police station.

Jahmal, of Colvestone Crescent was found by police during a routine patrol in the early hours.

The 17-year-old, who was a pupil at Hackney Free and Parochial School - a specialist sports college - had been given a trial at Reading Football Club.

Jahmal is the ninth teenager to die in violent circumstances in London this year.

(JM/BMcC)

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