Olly Stephens: Mourners line streets for Reading funeral

Hundreds of people have turned out for the funeral of a 13-year-old boy who was stabbed to death.

Oliver Stephens, known as Olly, died from his injuries on 3 January after being stabbed in Emmer Green in Reading.

Mourners threw roses as the funeral cortege made its way through Emmer Green past Olly's old schools and St Barnabas Church.

A service has taken place at Reading Crematorium.

Speaking during the service Stuart Stephens, Olly's father, said it "was the stuff of nightmares" when "a knock on the door shattered our lives".

"No-one should have to receive news like this or deal with a situation as horrific," he said. "But we are blessed, the time we shared with Oliver is our most precious gift."

He added: "Oliver touched so many lives without either us or himself knowing it, we now know."

A fundraising appeal for the teenager, who was autistic, has raised just over £21,000. The money will go towards Olly's family, and partly towards knife crime charities, the appeal said.

In a statement, Highdown School, where Olly was a pupil, said the "shock and disbelief continues to be felt", and added many staff and students had received counselling arranged by the school.

"We know that many will need to continue to access these services in the weeks and months come," it added.

Speaking to the BBC Matt Rodda, MP for Reading East, described the day "as very, very moving".

He said: "This has been the most awful tragedy both for Olly's family and to the wider community here.

"People have been genuinely deeply shocked by this awful incident."

Nikki Mitchell, BBC South home affairs correspondent

Many of the hundreds of people who came out of their homes to pay their respects to Olly Stephens were children; his friends and his neighbours.

Most wore red and were holding single red roses. Red was Olly's favourite colour.

The funeral cortege left his family's home just before 11:00, first passing his school, then driving along the local streets, and through Caversham Park Village.

Olly's coffin was colourfully decorated. A floral rainbow, a cuddly toy and a packet of sweets could be seen through the back window of the hearse as it passed.

As the cortege approached Reading crematorium people threw single red roses onto the bonnet and clapped in his memory. There were tears and hugs.

Officers were called just before 16:00 GMT on 3 January to reports of a stabbing at the fields on the boundary of Emmer Green and Caversham Heights.

Three teenagers have been charged with murder and conspiracy to cause grievous bodily harm.

They all remain in youth detention custody and are due to face trial in June.

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