'I've lost my son and I still can't believe it'

"Kelyan was a lovely boy, but it's hard for me to talk about it, because I've lost my son and I still can't believe it."

Kelyan Bokassa's mother has been speaking to BBC London after his funeral in south-east London on Wednesday.

The 14-year-old died shortly after being attacked on a 472 double-decker bus on Woolwich Church Street on 7 January. The funeral took place at 11:00 GMT at Christ Church Greenwich, where more than 100 mourners gathered.

Marie Bokassa said she missed how her son laughed, how playful he was and how he made everybody laugh, adding she missed him so much.

"I feel that my son has been let down, let down by the system. I feel he was set up for failure," Ms Bokassa added.

"He had a lot of people who loved him, he was taken away from his family. He was a vulnerable little boy on the streets."

Greenwich Council previously said there was a formal child safeguarding review into Kelyan's death, involving his family, to prevent more fatalities among young people.

On Wednesday, a council spokesperson said: "Nothing is more important than safeguarding our young people and ensuring our communities feel safe, we actively work to relocate young people and families as part of our commitment to ensuring their safety."

Kelyan had attended Newhaven School, a pupil referral unit and specialist school in Eltham.

Ms Bokassa previously told BBC London he had experienced some "extremely challenging times" and had been taken into care for a number of years.

She added Kelyan was "underweight, very hungry, tattooed and exposed to drugs" but they had just enjoyed Christmas together and he was back at school.

She said she asked for help and tried to prevent him from associating with gangs but did not receive support from the authorities, and her son "still had one foot on the streets".

Two teenage boys aged 15 and 16 were charged with Kelyan murder in January.

Both defendants were remanded into custody after appearing at the Old Bailey.

A plea hearing was set for 14 April and a trial at the same court was provisionally set for 13 October.

Leading the funeral service, Reverend John Pout said: "Kelyan's life was just beginning, he was a young man with so much potential, he was clearly very gifted.

"He was kind, he was sensitive, generous and thoughtful. Not just in the words he used but in the things that he did. He was known to give away his things to others who had less than him."

The reverend added: "I asked his mother what he'd say if he were here. I'm sure he'd simply say 'I love you and I'm sorry'."

Ms Bokassa was comforted by his aunt Dahlia Edwards as she read the eulogy.

She told mourners: "He was not just my child, to many he was a protector and a loyal friend. He nurtured his friendships fiercely, always putting his friends first and ensuring they felt safe and valued.

"Despite facing challenges, he never held on to anger or grievances.

"He loved people deeply, he would listen and support those around him and was always eager to help.

"His protective nature extended beyond his circle. It was a testimony to his generous spirit, a quality that defined him."

Teenagers, some of them holding bouquets of flowers, were among the congregation, with two of Kelyan's friends singing Hallelujah during the service.

Some of the young people in attendance were said to also be friends of Daèjaun Campbell, who was fatally stabbed not far from where Kelyan was killed, just a few months earlier.

Mark Rodney, from community outreach organisation Project Lifeline, also attended the funeral.

He told BBC London: "We need to do more collectively. My fear is that this won't stop until people understand where the flaws are.

"We are calling for understanding, support, more funding for the frontline organisations that are engaging with these children."

"If no-one helps them it's going to get worse. Young children are not meant to be witnessing their friends being buried," he added.

A Greenwich Council spokesperson said: "Project Lifeline have made themselves known to us however we work extensively with local organisations that we have long-standing relationships with.

"These organisations, funded by grants from the Violence Reduction Unit, ensure that vital funding directly improves the lives of our communities.

"Knife crime is a complex issue, but we'll continue to work with schools, young people, the police, and other voluntary partners to try to rid our streets of knives."

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