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Top cop speaks out over sentence of teenage killer

3:08pm Friday 23rd February 2007

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A top policeman has spoken of his shock at the sentence given to a 16-year-old who knifed and killed a schoolboy in a Shirley park.

Detective Inspector Neil Cochlin who led the investigation into the manslaughter of 17-year-old Gavin Brown, said he could understand the "anger and upset" his family felt at the killer's three year jail sentence.

“This crime shows only too clearly the dangers of carrying knives in public and just how much misery is brought upon families and communities.”

Detective Inspector Neil Cochlin

Adam Eastmond, of Greencourt Avenue, Shirley, was sentenced at the Old Bailey today.

Following sentencing, DI Neil Cochlin said: "The defendant's decision to bring a knife to the park and show it off to the other teenagers has resulted in a death that Gavin Brown's family will never fully recover from and which will blight their lives for ever.

"This crime shows only too clearly the dangers of carrying knives in public and just how much misery is brought upon families and communities."

Gavin, of Westgate Road, South Norwood, died from a stab wound to the neck after an altercation with Eastmond in October 14, 2005.

Eastmond admitted taking a knife to Parkfields recreation ground, claiming he wanted someone to photograph it with a mobile phone and bluetooth' it to him so he could sell it.

The defendant told detectives that while in the park he gave his knife to another youth who then handed it to Gavin.

Gavin, one of the elder members of the group, admonished the defendant for bringing the knife and showing it off in front of younger children.

A struggle followed, during which Eastmond retrieved his knife and Gavin sustained a stab wound to his chest and the left side of his neck.

Eastmond said he put the knife in a bag and fled through the grounds of Bethlem Royal Hospital. The weapon, a 10-inch commando-style knife with a serrated edge, was later recovered during a search of the area. An empty knife sheath was found inside Eastmond's trousers.

Police said they also received a 999 call from a boy claiming he had been attacked with a knife during the incident. They later discovered he was the person responsible for killing 17-year-old Gavin.

Eastmond, who was 15 at the time, was arrested on suspicion of murder on Saturday, October 15, 2005.

He was acquitted of murder last year when a jury failed to reach a verdict but was found guilty of manslaughter on January 22.

A court order preventing him from being named was lifted today.

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Lisa, croydon says...
5:38pm Fri 23 Feb 07

This doesnt surprise me. The sentence doesnt set an example and this is why youths carry knives because they will get pathetic sentences!

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john, croydon says...
7:09pm Fri 23 Feb 07

Looks like it is ok to commit murder after all...according to our stupid laws that is. And people wonder what has gone wrong.

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justin, Croydon says...
1:56am Sat 24 Feb 07

What a joke stab someone to death and get just 3 yrs, sends outs the right message to the scum on the street.

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dani, says...
7:04pm Sat 24 Feb 07

3 years and he wont even surve all that what is this cuming to i was gutted when i heard that talk about let everyone know its an easy get away what is going on gavin we miss yoo so much xxx

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mary Kelly, Moscow says...
8:32pm Sat 24 Feb 07

How sad!!!! Are b.....s such as these killers,the future of Briton????

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Lisa, Croydon says...
1:17pm Sun 25 Feb 07

Tom, what a moronic thing to say. Regardless of whether he meant to kill Gavin or not, he had a knife, he used it and he killed someone. And to say if he hadnt the roles would have been reversed, how the f##k do u know that? Its almost as if u condone what he did.Im annoyed cos my friend was stabbed and his killer got the same pathetic sentence. But lets hope she and Adam get what they deserve when they come out

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dee, says...
8:53pm Sun 25 Feb 07

i know gavin yeah n ok you have your view but he killed a brother a son a mate what have we left appart from memories and you write something like that and no it wouldnt have been the other way round gavin wasnt like that so dont try pass the blame adam did it and ran off not facing what he had done you put your self in other peoples point of view we cant see him no more people like you make me so angry

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Emma, Melbourne says...
1:54am Mon 26 Feb 07

I've recently moved away from Croydon to Melbourne Aus, and reading about stuff like this makes me so happy to have made the choice to leave. the UK justice system is falling to pieces,and the moral backbone of the country is also falling to pieces. Young people seem to think that if someone is rude/unkind or shows disrespect to them they deserve to die. What ever happend to showing consideration to your fellow man??

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peta (cousin of gavin), leeds says...
10:26am Mon 26 Feb 07

IM DISGUSTED AT THE SENTANCE! HES TAKEN MY COUSINS LIFE AND COULD BE WALKIN FREE IN A YR AND A HALF!IF IT WASNT FOR HIM GAVIN WUD BE HERE 2 DAY. WHAT KIND OF EXAMPLE IS THIS SETTIN MORE AN MORE FAMILIES ARE GOIN 2 BE GOIN THRU THE PAIN THAT WE HAVE THAT WE WIL ALWAYS HAVE

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Mary, Moscow says...
5:41pm Mon 26 Feb 07

Thanks God I left Croydon long time ago. I was told that coming to Moscow it be dangerous!!!! What a lie, Moscow compared to Croydon is a paradise!!!! Why can anybody tell me?? I am even puzzled to see how people write these messages! What's going on???

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Shane, South Norwood says...
11:03am Tue 27 Feb 07

Im Gavins cousin and i was there at the sentencing. When the judge read out that Adam was going to get 3 years me and my family all sat there in astonishment. The judge said it was because "adam was young" and what he did was "out of character" and he "has a bright futute"..now come on..a gud character..if he had such a gud character why is he walking with a knife. who gives a s**t if hes got a future..from when u take someones life u dont deserve to hav one yourself. the justice system doesnt make sence, it is telling the youth of today that if u kill someone all that happens is you get a slap on the wrist, go to places like Feltam where u get TVs in your room, u can make money an be educated. Obviously these criminals are in "prison" because they are not fit enough to integrate with society for one reason or another so why are they being "rewarded" for there actions..but dont worry justice will be gained in one way or another..RIP GAVIN

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yet another, bristol says...
11:18am Tue 27 Feb 07

well iam not surprised at all at the sentence. it is heart breaking to see our justice system fail us so badly my daughters life was taken also by gun men from croyden and the place sucks no one cared about it and the men still walk free. i do beleve that the people of croyden should start speaking up against theses knife gun weilding thugs drug dealers etc.. UNTILL U DO THERE WILL BE MORE DEATHS LIKE GAVINS.
may u rest in peace and ur familys hurt heal a little over the years..

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Sophie, south west says...
4:07pm Tue 27 Feb 07

disgraced an let down by the courts once agen. justice has no meaning in this country

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Kiran( Friend Of Gavins Cousin Shane), Hayes West London says...
7:05pm Tue 27 Feb 07


Im a friend of gavins cousin shane, i know how much gavin meant to shane and still does there aint a day that goes by where he dont talk about gavin and i was shocked to be reading this and to see that Adam only received 3 years???I dont understand how the worlds working today its pathetic knowing that things like this can be going on and nothings really being done about it why is it that nowadays you can commit a crime and be let of so easy??Whats makes people think that when he comes out he may not harm another innocent teenager like gavin?I dont think its fair at all that he only gets 3 years...What so he will be locked up 3 years on his own...What about gavins family???Its not like hes eevr going to be brought back and they have to live with that!!! Why is it that drug dealers get more time then murderers?Its not acceptable the government said it would be tough on crime thanks to there total mismanagement of
the prison system there are giving out soft sentences relasing murderers early and giving them the chance to re offend!!the whole justice system has been broken down and noone is even doing anything to rectify it!The government need to fix themselves up and start taking real action because there giving the wrong image out to little kids and making them think its ok to do something like what adam did!!Its disguisting!!My heart goes out to all of Gavins family!! And just a little message to shane!!...My dads looking after gavin up there in heaven!! Were all going to link up one day!! Keep your head up ive got you!!! Rest In Peace Gavin!!!!

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D, South Norwood says...
10:47pm Tue 27 Feb 07

I am a friend of Gavin's aunt Grace and I have followed this case from day one. The criminal justice system is a load of ****..........how can anyone honestly hear the real details of this case and say Adam didn't commit MURDER....lets not pretty it up, he obviously thought he was a bad boy on the road and was trying to prove!!! What he has done to Gavin's family can never be changed, Adam has all the family support, that great for him but when your child does wrong you have to let them know that and not try and find excuses for them. We all know that if you stab someone when they are on their knees as Adam did self defence seems somewhat farscial, how can a unarmed boy on the ground be a threat to you who has a knife in his hand? I hope that every day Adam smells Gavin's blood on his hands and has flash back daily, hourly and every available moment. I can only imagine how difficult it must have been for Gavin's family to be in court and watch Adam being treated with kid gloves like a victim. I hear his family have moved from the area, how lucky they are, only now has Adam Eastmond's name been reported, in 18 months or less he will be out free as a bird... probably without a care in the world, no doubt a big holiday will be on the cards to give him a break (sorry for the sarcasm) most people he meets when he comes out won't have a clue what he has done and he will carry on with his life as he was before. Not so for Gavin's family....let's spare a thought for them who have to live with this loss every day for the rest of their lives, with the added burden of knowing that Gavin's KILLER has gone almost unpunished. I've asked my brother who's is in a better place than htis **** we are living in now to look out for Gavin and watch over us all, until we meet again. Gavin RIP babe, Adam may have taken your life, but he can never take the love your family and friends have for you.

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AMELIA GAVIN'S FRIEDN FROM SCHOOL OF 8YRS, CROYDON says...
11:05pm Tue 27 Feb 07

AS USUAL THIS COUNTRY IS A F***ING JOKE, AND IM SICK OF IT!!! YOUR NOT MEANT TO B IN THIS COUNTRY , COZ YOUR SOME IILEGAL IMMAGRANT, YOU RUN OVER A CHILD AND GET 10MONTHS, U KILL A 17YR OLD BOY COZ YOU THINK YOU A BIG BOY IN A PARK, U GET 3 YRS!!!IT MAKES ME SICK!!I HOPE THAT ADAM KID ROTS IN ****
MY HEART AND LOVE GOES OUT TO ALL GAV'S FAM!! WE WILL ALL SEE YOU SOON, SO HOLD TIGHT UP THERE AND KNOW THAT WE LOVE U AND MISS U ALWAYS XXXREST IN PEACE , IN GOD WE TRUST!

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AMELIA GAVIN'S FRIEND FROM SCHOOL OF 8YRS, CROYDON says...
10:14pm Wed 28 Feb 07

A POEM FOR YOU GAV:
WHEN I THINK OF U I PRAY FOR U, SOMETIMES I WONDER Y WE WAS TAKEN AWAY FROM U,THE SMILE ON YOUR FACE NO-ONE CAN EVER REPLACE,IT WAS SAD HOW THEY DELT WITH YOUR CASE, IM SORRY IF WE HAD FIGHTS SCHOOL, U KNOW I WAS ALWAYS THERE FOR U,WE SANG IN CLASS THE TEACHERS GOT ANNOYED,ARGUMENTS U WUD TRY TO AVOID,COZ YOU WASNT LIKE THE OTHER BOYS.GOD HAS GAINED AN ANGEL AT HEART,ITS STILL A SHOCK LIKE IT WAS FROM THE START. GOD GIVE HIM A HUGG FROM ME IM SENDING THAT UP ABOVE GRANT HIM MY PEACE AND SEND HIM MY LOVE XXR.I.P GAV

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emma, croyodn says...
1:23pm Sat 3 Mar 07

I went 2 school with adam and i cant believe he would do something like this he was such a loving peron and could of done alot in his life, he was a straught a student. But teenagers are always being pushed in to gangs and to look cool they carry a knife and also to defend themselves i dont think i could forgive him for what hes done hes not the boy i knew

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emma, says...
1:28pm Sat 3 Mar 07

adam deserves everything he gets and my hearts go out 2 gavins family n friends ino wt its like 2 lose someone like that i hope adam realises wt hes done, n dat fact dat he only gt 3 years makes mi sick **** b bk out soon.

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Carlene - Gav's big sis, S Norwood says...
8:41pm Sun 4 Mar 07

Firstly I would like 2 thank U all 4 your comments regarding my lil bro. Obviously I am angry with the result as I feel that it is an insult 2 my lil bro. Its hard knowing that I will never see him again in this life. It hurts coz my lil bro is 5 yrs younga than me & had a life 2 live. Wat I would give 2 swap places with him. When I look back at my life I have acheived alot. I have travelled the world and feel as though my lil bro missed out on so much. I would swap places wiv him anyday!!! Wen you love sum1 U will do anything 4 them. I fink about the sentence which that **** was given and it hurts deep inside. I want him 2 suffer & realise wat he has done. He needs 2 know the pain that every single person in my fam is feeling. 4 him 2 b out in a yr is a disgrace & i pray this will change. But deep inside I know it wont. I mean we are in England. U can get sent dwn 4 longer 4 a robbery then a murder it's a joke. Either which way Adam Eastmond has my lil bros blood on his hands & he'l neva b able 2 hide fr this fact. No matter how much he scrubs his hands.
Anyway Gav's I know u know how much u r loved & missd dwn here. U r a good person & every1 knows it. Lil bro take care coz I know yr watchin over us all!!!
I love u so much and u will forever remain in my heart.
Love yr 1 & only big sis xxxxxxxxxxxxxx

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Abbie, Bromley says...
7:42pm Tue 6 Mar 07

I was in the year above Gavin's killer at school and was so shocked to hear that he did what he did as i knew of him through a friend, it just goes to show that you never know what people can be capable of. He must put on a very good act because he fooled the judge aswel. i have seen adam's webpage and i think this proves the true nature of his character as he doesnt seem to regret what he has done at all. i would imagine that if Gavin's family saw his page they would be disgusted by its content. its terrible what happened and its disgusting that he only got three years for it. how can the judge say that he has a life infront of him when he has evilly taken away someone elses? i can't imagine the pain Gavin's family is going through but i hope someday justice will be done one way or another. this country is a mess and the values of some young people today are unbelievable.
With deepest sympathy & best wishes for Gavin's family xxx

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A Friend, South Norwood says...
7:16pm Thu 10 Jul 08

It is now approaching 3 years since my friend was taken from me, and if you ask me the situation is getting worse. So many youths are dieing and what is being done to deter it? I think its cases like Gavins that should be used t deter young boys from killing each other. If this boy and every other killer was given a life sentance im sure the youths will think twice about picking up a knife/gun and using it. Its sad for me to say that this case should be used because this case shouldnt exist. But at the end of the day it will only prevent others from feeling the way that gavins friends and family do.. RIP GAVIN... GONE BUT NEVER FORGOTTEN

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M, SW says...
10:45pm Sun 13 Jul 08

As someone who knows adam very well...i will not condone or excuse anything that he has done..ive always told him tht things ddnt have to be they way they are..tht doin all tht stuff never solved anything. but i will however say this...he is nt a bad person.. a stupid one yes...but not a bad one...he has been through a hell of a lot through no fault of his own..losing his 2 of his best friends to racist attacks...one of them dying in his arms. and as much as u all get **** abt the three yr sentence..yeh he is out now..but he is still serving the sentence in knowing he has hurt so many people and taken someone elses life. that is something he will always have to live with. something that he can never escape from. all these boys front like they are scared of nothing.. like nothing phases them..but that is all it is..a front. i am a strong believer in karma...and from what i understand Gavin was no saint... and was involved in several other incidences..tht however does nt mean he deserved it..no one does...im just saying ppl shouldnt be so quick to judge. "he without sin cast the 1st stone."

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Stabbed to death: Gavin Brown Stabbed to death: Gavin Brown

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