Bullied student Danielle Johnson, 17, stabbed and beaten to death

 

17-year-old Danielle Sheenalee Johnson was stabbed and beaten in Palmerston Road, Wood Green, north London on 28 May 2007 at around 6pm. She was taken to the Royal Free hospital in a critical condition but died on 8 June from her injuries. A post mortem examination at Hornsey Mortuary revealed the cause of death as a stab wound to the chest and head injuries.

Danielle is described by her mother, Jan Johnson, as having a “big heart”. In an interview with the Local Guardian she spoke about how responsible her daughter was, often looking after her younger brothers, five-year-old Renelle and 18-month-old Tyrelle. She would often take them to the park, shops and to visit friends. Danielle’s mother spoke of how difficult it is explaining to Renelle that his sister is no longer with them. She said: "He asked: 'does that mean she won't take me to the park anymore?' "I said no and he really broke down. He was so upset. Then later he asked me how do you get to heaven?' I said I didn't know and he said: If you don't know, how can we visit Danielle?'"

Danielle was a hair and beauty student at Waltham Forest College and also enjoyed acting, dancing and modelling. Carol Gibson, principal of Waltham Forest College, “I've talked to lots of the students and staff who knew her. She had a group of friends here who really, really cared for her. The students and staff are very distressed. Our heart really goes out to the family and her friends because this is just unimaginable"

Unfortunately, Danielle’s life had been dogged by vicious bullying since the age of 13 when she moved from South Grove Schools in Walthamstow to Heathcote School in Chingford. Her mother said: "She was always getting bullied, she was mugged so many times." Danielle had global learning difficulties for which she was sometimes targeted. On one occasion, the bullies urinated and spat into a bottle and poured it all over her. Danielle moved to Rush Croft School, also in Chingford but this did nothing to abate the bullying. Despite going to the police around 20 times, Danielle’s mother was advised that there was little they could to do help because prosecuting the bullies would lead to little more than a “slap on the wrist”.

Four weeks after moving out of her mother’s house into her own temporary accommodation to escape the constant bullying, Danielle was attacked. Jan Johnson said: "I do blame the bullies for her death. If they hadn't have bullied her then she wouldn't have moved”.

The company EduAction, who deliver a range of services to schools, particularly in the Waltham Forest area, was contacted by the Local Guardian for a comment on the bullying policy at the schools Danielle attended. They said: "EduAction is unable to comment on individual pupils and in this case, due to the short time frame, is unable to comment on behalf of the schools. However we are confident that both Rush Croft and Heathcote schools have anti-bullying policies in place which are implemented in a robust manner. Both schools have received borough training and support on bullying prevention provided by EduAction."

A 17-year-old boy was subsequently arrested for her murder and appeared at the Old Bailey on 2 November where he spoke only to give his name. Judge Stephen Kramer QC set the trial date for 12 May 2008.