Olly Stephens: Dozens attend memorial service for murdered teen

The father of murdered Olly Stephens praised the ‘power’ of the local community as dozens of people came together to remember the teenager one year after his tragic death in an emotional memorial service. 

13-year-old Olly was stabbed to death at Bugs Bottom fields on January 3, 2021, in a shocking murder that stunned the local community. 

READ MORE: Teenagers jailed for years after murdering Olly Stephens 

But friends, family and well-wishers from Emmer Green gathered at St Barnabas Church in Emmer Green this afternoon (January 3, 2022) to remember Olly’s life through tributes to the teenager. 

A memorial service for guests took place inside the church with dozens more gathered outside listening via a loudspeaker. 

It started with a prayer from Bishop Olivia Graham before tributes from Olly’s friends were played. 

A photo slideshow celebrating’s Olly childhood was shown to guests as well. 

Olly’s mother, Amanda Stephens, read a poem before his father Stuart paid tribute to his son by recalling his favourite memories of his son.

Following this, well-wishers were invited to light candles in Olly's memory.

The Stephens family then addressed the dozens of people who had gathered to pay their respects to the 13-year-old. 

READ MORE: Girl who lured Olly Stephens to his death gets an increase in prison sentence

Reading East MP Matt Rodda also spoke. He said: “Today’s anniversary is extremely difficult and challenging for all of us, and particularly for Stuart and Amanda, and our hearts go out to them at this very difficult time. 

“They have been through the most terrible time. No one should have to face the loss of a young son with so much potential at the age of 13 at the hands of other children. 

“I hope, by working together, to spread the message knife crime must be stopped, it must be prevented, and by talking to one another, and supporting each other… we can stop this sort of thing from happening ever again.”

Mr Rodda said he was aiming to raise the issue of the dangers of social media in parliament through the Online Harms bill debate and urged residents to contact him about any concerns they had about children’s use of online platforms. 

Amanda Stephens spoke next and told those who had gathered to remember Olly of a special moment she shared with her son on the day of his death. 

She said Olly was laying on his bed and she told him he was handsome, so he told her to take a picture. 

As she did not have a phone to hand, she took a ‘mental picture’ -- something she was ‘so glad’ that she did. 

“Olly will always be my best boy, my only boy, and he will always be with me”, Ms Stephens said. 

Stuart Stephens paid tributes to members of the community who had supported his family since Olly’s death, including people who had written poems for them, cooked for them, set up a fundraising page for them and those who they had worked with in tackling knife crime in the past year. 

“People that you don’t know are there when you need them”, he said.

“People that work relentlessly in their communities for the improvement of their communities.”

Adding: “All we ask is that you put down your phones once in a while and appreciate the community that surrounds you, appreciate your neighbours and appreciate our youth. Given the chance, they can be incredible. 

“They need all the help we can give them, especially now. We must never forget as parents and mentors, we have the power to change young futures.”

Stuart Stephens

Mr Stephens also paid tribute to Thames Valley Police and the prosecution team that helped to secure two murder verdicts for the 14-year-old boys who killed Olly a year ago. 

He thanked Olly’s friends and local residents who reached out to show ‘compassion and kindness’ after the teenager died last year. 

Stuart added: “In our hour of darkness, all these people pulled together to help us. 

“This is the power of your community. Reach out, they have your backs.”