FALL DEATH: Police officer urges bullying victims to speak up (From News Shopper)

FALL DEATH: Police officer urges bullying victims to speak up

3:05pm Wednesday 18th November 2009 in News

THE police officer who led the investigation into teenager Rosimeiri Boxall's death has said victims of bullying must seek help.

Oluwakemi Ajose, aged 19, of Floyd Road, Charlton, and a 15-year-old girl, who can now be named as Hatice Can from Belvedere, denied manslaughter but were convicted at the Old Bailey today (Nov 18).

Miss Boxall, of Battery Road, Thamesmead, was found beneath an open window after falling from the second floor of a three-storey house in Coleraine Road, Blackheath, on May 17 last year.

The court has heard that before plunging to her death 19-year-old vicar's daughter Miss Boxall was beaten and bullied by the defendants, who were 17 and 13 at the time.

Detective Inspector Bob Meade said after the case: "The evidence clearly indicates that Rosimeiri Boxall fell to her death while attempting to escape from a sustained episode of bullying consisting of threats, verbal abuse and physical assault. Miss Boxall made no attempt to fight back or defend herself.

"Ajose and Can have been found guilty of manslaughter and have therefore been held criminally responsible for Rosimeiri's death. Ajose and Can both claimed during the trial that their actions were no more than high jinks and a playground catfight.

"Rosimeiri clearly did not perceive it that way and neither did the jury. To describe serious bullying in this way suggests that it is somehow acceptable and part of a normal modern-day life.

"It is neither normal nor acceptable and this case highlights the extent to which victims of bullying may go in order to escape their tormenters - sometimes with tragic consequences.

"Bullying needs to be taken seriously and I would urge the victims of bullying please don't just put up with it."

Mr Mead added: "Please seek help from someone whom you feel confident to confide in whether it be a relative, friend, teacher, the police or any of the several organisations responsible such as Childline or the NSPCC."