Mum who watched son Dele die from knife wounds joins Echo campaign to rid our streets of blades

He was unconscious and fighting for his life after being stabbed through the heart.

A short time later she and husband Gary were told the incomprehensible news that their beloved first child - 15-year-old Dele - had died.

Today the 32-year-old has revealed her heartache as she joins the Daily Echo campaign to get knives off the streets of Hampshire.

In her first interview since Dele died nine weeks ago, Angie said her son's death and the devastation it has caused to her and her family, should serve as a warning to anyone thinking of carrying a blade.

Nightmare "What has happened to my son has been a nightmare. Since Dele was stabbed, three more people have died like this and it is just horrendous. It's always the one's who don't carry knives who get hurt.

"Dele was a great lad, he would do anything for anyone. He wouldn't see anybody hurt. He was a credit to us really - I just wish I could tell him that more."

Dele died after being fatally stabbed close to the West Totton community centre around 9pm on Saturday, February 3.

It is thought the incident happened after the teenager was involved in an argument.

The following day more than 100 grief-stricken youngsters gathered to lay flowers in memory of the popular Testwood school pupil.

Days later the couple issued an appeal for calm through police after death threats appeared on Internet message boards.

Angie said: "I knew he was popular but until something like this happens you don't realise how much.

Hundreds of cards "We have had hundreds and hundreds of cards and flowers and so much support, it's been amazing."

On the night of Dele's death Angie had been out with Gary, celebrating his pending birthday the following day.

But as they sat down to a meal they took the phone call that was about to shatter their lives.

"I received a phone call to say that Dele had been hurt, and that it was quite bad.

"I tried to call his girlfriend and couldn't get through and then one of our other friends got a call to say Dele had been stabbed. I thought the kids were probably overreacting, that it wasn't as bad as they were making out.

"We raced to the hospital and got there before Dele. It turned out we had only been five minutes from where it had happened."

As tears rolled down her face Angie said: "We were there when he was wheeled in. It wasn't a very nice sight. He was laid out with blood all over his chest and that's when we knew that it was serious.

"I believe Dele died at the scene. His best friend was with him holding his hand when he let go and closed his eyes. They tried to save him at the hospital but they couldn't.

"It's just so hard to believe that one stab has taken Dele's life."

Today Angie still can't bring herself to walk past the spot where her son was stabbed.

The young Saints fan's death has also had a major impact on his brothers and sisters' lives - 13-year-old Billy and seven-year-old Keeley - not only as they try to come to terms with the fact he isn't coming back.

"It's hard to tell my son Billy that he can't go out past a certain time. I don't want him out past the time that Dele died because that's when older kids are also out.

"We used to confine him to the estate where we live, then we let him go out further and now we are trying to bring him back closer to home because of what happened to Dele.

"It's hit him really bad. He finds it hard because he used to share a room with his brother and he doesn't like sleeping there any more. He tries to stay out at his friend's homes quite regularly because he doesn't like being at home at night."

There's a small comfort for Angie and Gary, who can rely on Dele's friends who are always looking out for Billy.

"They protect him and shelter him and are always around to comfort him. Keeley writes him letters. That's how she deals with it. They were very close and Dele used to roll about on the floor with her and have play fights."

Pleading with people not to carry knives, Angie said: "It could be your brother or sister that ends up like Dele. People need to think about it and hand their knives in.

"I just don't understand why people feel the need to do it. They are stupid. It's not a big, brave thing to do at all. If you are carrying a knife, then whether you plan to use it or not, there is more chance of you using it because it is on you in the first place.

"If nobody had carried a knife that night my son would not be dead.

"I never really thought about it much before, you don't when it doesn't happen where you live. But since this happened to Dele it has hit home - and it's frightening.

"Parents need to be more involved in their children's lives and educate them about how dangerous this can be.

"My son never carried a knife and never would have, I know that."

Angie added: "I think the Daily Echo campaign is a brilliant idea. It's just so important to make people aware about the dangers of knives. These crimes are common in other places as well, but it's only when it happens to you that you are totally aware of the devastation it can cause."