Islington (Parliament Politics Magazine) – Three teenage girls from Islington have been detained after admitting manslaughter in a filmed street attack that led to the death of a 75-year-old Fredi Rivero.
On February 27, the girls, who were 14, 16, and 17 years old at the time, pushed, shoved, kicked, and punched Fredi Rivero outside a bus stop in Islington, north London. One of them captured the attack on camera and took his spectacles.
On Seven Sisters Road, Mr. Rivero, a Bolivian, was close to a bus stop when the adolescents disembarked and approached him.
Officers found him in cardiac arrest and with a serious head injury, unconscious on the sidewalk. After being brought to the Royal London Hospital, he passed on the next day.
The eldest girl, who will turn 18 next month, received four years in prison, the youngest, who is now fifteen, received two and a half years, and the seventeen-year-old, who is now seventeen, received three and a half years. Their age prevents them from being identified.
In a victim impact statement, Carla Rivero, Mr. Rivero’s daughter, told the Old Bailey that his “death was forced upon him” and that it was not his time to pass away. He was “kind, polite, and gentle,” according to her.
“Forever live in my heart” is how Ms. Rivero described her father.
“He was the nicest person you could ever meet, so kind, never bothered anyone,”
she said.
The Crown’s argument, according to prosecutor Louise Oakley, was that the three girls’ attack constituted “unprovoked violence.”
The females were seen coming off a bus on CCTV that was shown to the court. Mr. Rivero then made a peace sign during their first encounter. After initially leaving, they returned to him.
Video from a cell phone was also shown in court, showing one of the girls removing his spectacles before punching him, causing him to fall backwards.
Officers scoured the area right away after the incident, according to the Met Police, and found the females in a nearby park, where two were taken into custody. At her residence, the third female was taken into custody.
Det Insp Devan Taylor, who led the investigation, said:
“This was a completely unprovoked attack by three teenage girls, on an elderly man who was just going about his day. The fact they filmed the attack and found it funny is even more sickening.”
He thanked members of the public who provided first aid to Mr Rivero, and added:
“Their witness statements were also crucial in helping us arrest the girls within hours.”
What measures are local authorities taking to prevent similar attacks?
Increasing the presence of officers in high-risk areas helps deter violent behaviours and increases the immediate response capacity.
Community policing programs that focus on enhancing relationships between police officers and residents to foster cooperation and trust. Neighbourhood safety partnerships that engage councils, police and community groups to work collaboratively to tackle local issues related to crime and antisocial behaviour.
Youth outreach initiatives that prevent gang involvement and violent crime by alternative opportunities and avenues for support. Awareness campaigns to reduce violence, engage in conflict resolution, and raise awareness of consequences related to violent behaviours.