Family tributes to 'vibrant teenager' stabbed to death

The family of a teenager stabbed to death trying to stop a gang of youths stealing his friend's mobile phone described him as a popular, well-behaved and "vibrant young man" who was devoted to his family.

The 17-year-old, named by his family as Rizwan Darbar, was attacked in West Ham Park in east London on Sunday afternoon. He died at Newham General Hospital shortly before 7pm.

His brother, Tausif, 19, said Rizwan had been fasting because of Ramadan and had gone to the park with some friends to get out of the house. "They were walking through the park ... when some boys came up to them," he said.

"They were asking them for money and phones, anything valuable. His friends eventually gave their phones and jewellery. Someone standing behind the boy in front of Rizwan put his arm round and stabbed him in the stomach.

"He was dedicated to all of us, especially our mum. He was very, very loving and had lots of friends. He was always the good one, the quiet one."

Rizwan, a West Ham United fan who also loved music, worked at Currys in nearby Seven Kings and was studying for A-levels at Newham Sixth Form College. His father, Aiyab, said he "could not have asked for a better son ... He was a very good son to me. We never expected this to happen to a boy like him."