Two teenagers charged with murder over bus stabbing of 14-year-old Kelyan Bokassa in Woolwich

Two teenage boys have been charged with the murder of 14-year-old Kelyan Bokassa, who was stabbed on a bus in southeast London last week.

A 15-year-old from Woolwich and a 16-year-old from Plumstead were charged in the early hours of this morning, the Metropolitan Police said.

The teenagers were arrested yesterday alongside a 44-year-old woman – suspected of assisting an offender – who’s now been released under investigation

The boys, who have been remanded into custody, will appear at Bromley Magistrates’ Court later but can’t be named due to their age.

Kelyan was attacked on the 472 bus on Woolwich Church Street, close to the Woolwich Ferry, just before 2.30pm on 7 January. He died at the scene shortly after medical help arrived.

The 14-year-old was an aspiring rapper and his mother Mary Bokassa told journalists he was “very caring” and articulate but that she wasn’t surprised he had been killed.

Ms Bokassa described a troubled childhood where Kelyan was taken into care, moved from school to school, and eventually fell into the clutches of criminal gangs.

Kelyan’s death came just a few months after another boy, 15-year-old Daejaun Campbell, was stabbed to death in the area.