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Boy, 17, charged with murder after 16-year-old was stabbed to death while ‘protecting his girlfriend’
A TEEN has been charged with murder after a 16-year-old was stabbed to death “protecting his girlfriend.”
Rayon Pennycook, 16, was said to have been dragged into a scrap with other local boys after their girlfriends fell out in Corby, Northants., at 7pm on Tuesday.
Rayon Pennycock was stabbed to death in Corby, Northants[/caption]
A 17-year-old boy is this morning due in court after being charged with murder in connection to the ordeal.
The teen, who cannot be named for legal reasons, will appear before Northampton Magistrates’ Court following the tragic death of Rayon Pennycook.
Two other boys, aged 15 and 17, have been released on bail pending further inquiries.
The teen’s family released a statement earlier this week, saying: “Rayon’s death has left us feeling devastated.
“In fact, there are no words which can accurately describe the pain we are suffering. It is unbearable.
“He was just a boy, a 16-year-old boy with his whole life ahead of him.
“He had hopes, dreams and aspirations, and was in the process of applying for an apprenticeship, which would have seen him start the next chapter of his young life.
“Rayon is not a statistic and he will not be remembered as such – he was a unique human being with a beating heart who was loved so dearly by his mum, dad, siblings, niece, nephew and friends.
“Rayon had a big heart and made it clear every day how much he loved us all.
Tributes have been left at the scene in Corby[/caption]
A huge police cordon was in place[/caption]
Forensic officers on the scene[/caption]
“We are all living through the worst days of our lives and our hearts are utterly broken.
“Rayon, we are so proud of you and we will miss you always.”
Forensic experts continued to comb a large cordoned off area on a housing estate, hampered by heavy rain, while police carried out door to door inquiries.
The victim was understood to be visiting a pal’s house when he was fatally stabbed.
A neighbour who has been helping to comfort Rayon’s devastated dad said: “We heard that his girlfriend was involved in a fight and when he tried to stop it he got stabbed. He was in the wrong place at the wrong time.”
She told how his dad Evert feared the worst when he heard on social media that a 16-year-old boy had been stabbed to death near the family home.
The neighbour said: “It was all over social media that an unnamed lad had died at the scene after a fight had broken out between his girlfriend and another girl.
“Then police came round and told his dad it was his boy. He was completely distraught.
“He is a broken man and we’ve been helping comfort him and picking up the pieces.”
Kerry Prior, interim school leader at Corby Business Academy, where Rayon was a pupil, said: “We are extremely sad to hear of the passing of one of our Year 11 students, Rayon Pennycook.
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“Rayon Pennycook was a bright, kind-hearted and creative young man who built strong relationships with many members of our student community and teachers at Corby Business Academy.
“This tragic news will come as a shock to many people across the school community and Rayon will be greatly missed.
“We understand that this will be upsetting news for our school community, particularly those who were close to Rayon, and will be offering counselling and well-being support via our own counsellors and the local authority to all members of our school community.”
