Teenager stabbed to death

A teenager who dreamed of playing soccer professionally died on the streets of east London after a knife attack yesterday.

Jahmal Mason-Blair, 17, was found by police officers on a routine patrol in Hackney early yesterday morning. He had been stabbed in the neck. Paramedics battled to save him but he was pronounced dead at the scene.

Friends said the youth had dreamed of becoming a professional footballer. He had had trials at Tottenham Hotspur young players development centre and at Reading.

Jahmal's half-brother, Shaun Mason, 30, said he was woken and told something had happened to his brother. "He was meant to be coming to stay with his cousin last night but he never made it," he said.

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