Damilola, Our Loved Boy

SIRENS WAIL

PANTING

REPORTERS CLAMOUR

Mum?

INDISTINCT POLICE RADIO CHATTER

Detectives have started a murder hunt

after a ten-year-old boy bled to death...

..was stabbed in the leg.

Although emergency crews tried first aid, he later died...

..housing estate in South London.

Damilola Taylor was stabbed as he returned...

PLANE ENGINE STARTS UP

LIVELY MUSIC STARTS

Church? We'll only be an hour.

But I booked a table for 7:30pm.

You know I haven't eaten since lunchtime.

Oh, dear.

I am running low on fuel. STOMACH RUMBLES

Did you hear that?

Be at peace in Jesus' name.

SHE GIGGLES

LIVELY MUSIC STARTS

ALL: Happy anniversary!

THEY CHEER

MUSIC CONTINUES

Nothing to do with me.

CHEERING DROWNS SPEECH

After being childhood friends,

my father left for Great Britain in 1971 to study.

It seemed the romance had come to an end.

But God had other plans

and, in 1974, he led my father to a chance meeting with my mother

in Brixton, south London.

THEY LAUGH

Then, in 1977, my dad made an honest woman of my mum

and they married in Kensington Town Hall, London.

One year later, they had me.

Hey! SHE CHUCKLES

Two years later, they had me.

Ha-ha!

And then God sent me.

LAUGHTER AND APPLAUSE

LIVELY MUSIC STARTS

Thank you very much.

Who was that? Clarence. My auntie's first husband's brother.

Dad? Are you ready to eat? Yes, please.

Ooh! Stop running, Damilola.

By the way, wonderful presentation. Yes, wonderful presentation.

You have made us very proud. Thank you very much.

It was only yesterday he was wearing nappies.

He would happily sit in his own mess the whole day.

How we had to chase him to change his nappy.

Funny, I only remember one of us doing the chasing and the changing.

Hmm. Did you burp?

Mr Taylor?

Just a quick one, have you thought any more

about joining our bible group? HE COUGHS

THUD

Move back, move back. Everybody...

Somebody call an ambulance.

My daughter needs an ambulance. In the name of Jesus...

Stop all this nonsense now.

Give her some space.

ALL TALK AT ONCE

This needs more powder.

I'm not putting any more in. Mum would.

Bed.

Have you heard from the hospital yet? No.

Mum and Dad have it under control. OK?

We will administer more tranquillisers overnight

and she should be able to go home in the morning. More tranquillisers?

Is my daughter an animal? Richard. How many years have they been

pumping this black-market poison into her body, eh? How many?

Why don't you vent to your friends in the government,

instead of shouting at this poor girl?

My apologies.

We cannot keep waiting for God to throw us a miracle.

Hmm.

How is she?

She'll be home in the morning.

Just to let you know, I've changed my plans.

To help find a cure.

But what about playing for United?

Well, the matches are mostly on the weekends, so I can do both.

HE CHUCKLES

OK. Now get some sleep.

DOOR CLOSES

If it could be done here, we would be doing it.

I understand, Sir,

but it's the only place she can be treated.

She has the right to use the National Health, she's British-born.

OK. No, no,

thank you for your time. Bye.

Are you sure something can't be worked out?

The earliest they can release me is Christmas.

SHE SIGHS

We can't wait until then.

You must go ahead. I must go?

Richard, we never discussed this. This was never the plan.

You think I want you to go without me?

I'll call my cousin in London in the morning

and then sort out travel arrangements for you and Gbemi.

I'm not leaving my sons behind.

Hey, I understand perhaps you might also want to take Tunde,

but Damilola, he's only ten. He's no longer a baby.

He is the baby of this family. Well, then needs to be with his mother.

He stays here.

Four, five, six, seven, eight...

Dami, it's time to eat.

Bye. Bye.

You must also remember, I'm not sending you on holiday.

In my absence, you'll have to be the man of the house. No problem.

That means being there for your mother and sister.

You also have to apply to university so you can continue your studies

and you have to find a part-time job, so you can make your own money.

OK, OK.

London is not Lagos.

You think you can come from privilege

and just easily make it in the UK? What privilege?

What's the matter now?

Damilola... I'm just going to the toilet! Is that OK?

If that was me, I'd have got a shoe on my head. Be quiet!

He thinks he can sulk his way to London.

He will eat every grain,

stubborn boy. I wonder where he gets that from.

Look at it through his eyes.

Everyone here has been to the UK except for him,

and now he's missing out again.

Show me - where is Great Britain?

Only joking, it's here.

And London?

Here now.

What is the national language? English.

Huh. What is the President's name? President?

They don't have a President.

They have a Prime Minister and his name is Mr Tony Blair.

Why do you want to go to Great Britain?

Because it is GREAT Britain.

You see, Great.

Hmm.

Tonight, bedtime is 7:30pm on the dot. Huh?

I'll be waking you up early to sort out your passport and your visa.

Yes!

LIVELY MUSIC STARTS

Come now, let's play.

I'm going to beat you. Any time.

Practice. Me and Tunde are going to beat you.

RICHARD CHUCKLES

You start.

THEY CHEER AND LAUGH

All right, let's do it.

THEY LAUGH

ANNOUNCEMENT OVER TANOY

Good luck. Thank you, Papa.

Goodbye, Dad.

It'll be OK.

Call when you land. I will.

Come.

Bye, Dad.

HE SIGHS

Goodbye, Nigeria. Goodbye!

You see clouds? Yes.

SHE GIGGLES

Look over there.

You see it, Mummy?

HE BREATHES OUT

HE CHUCKLES

KNOCKING

You wanted to see me, Sir?

Yes, there is a call for you on an international line.

Oh, I'm so sorry, I didn't know that it would be... No, it's fine.

Hello? Hello, darling. Hey, Mrs Taylor! How was the flight?

Ah, we thank God, we're all fine.

Come and say hello to Daddy.

Hello, Dad! Hello, Dad.

Is Gbemi OK? Yes, no problems.

Dami? He's enjoying himself.

Yeah? And Tunde, is he being adult about things?

HE GROANS

He's trying his best.

We're just going to visit my auntie for the day in Peckham.

Your cousin's place is small.

Oh, surely it's not that bad.

Richard, he only has two bedrooms.

Well, make sure you get the number for Hillingdon Council,

hopefully by the end of the week

you'll have an accommodation in the borough.

Then afterwards, register Gbemi with a GP.

BEEPING

COIN DROPS

Yes, chief.

And as for the smallness of my cousin's place,

the closer you all are,

the warmer you all will be in that English weather.

Is that a joke? If it amuses you, yes, it is.

BEEPING The money's finished.

We have to go. OK. Bye, darling.

Bye.

LINE GOES DEAD

He hurt me. What did you do? I didn't touch him!

HE LAUGHS

Sit down. Aw, I want to see.

GENTLE MUSIC DROWNS SPEECH

Turn left. Left.

Dami, slow down.

Did you see that? No.

SHE LAUGHS

MUSIC POUNDS FROM CAR STEREO

You want a sweetie, little man? Thank you. No, thank you.

Thank you.

Hmm. Tunde, did you wet yourself?

Ha-ha(!)

GLORIA CHUCKLES

Damilola?

KNOCKING

Ah!

TRANSLATION:

AUNTIE DORCAS CHUCKLES

You're all most welcome!

Look at you! Oh...

Is this Miss Gbemi?

See here, she has become a big woman. Hey...

SLOW DISTORTED MUSIC

RINGING IN EARS

SHE GASPS What is going on?

It's OK.

GBEMI GROANS AND WAILS

We were interested in living in Hillingdon,

but my daughter's been admitted to hospital here in Peckham.

So now it would make sense for us to stay in this area.

Well, you can stay wherever you like, but what do you want from us?

A council house for myself and my children,

and for my husband when he finally joins us.

SHE SCOFFS

Look, Mrs...Taylor,

you can't just jet over here and demand a council house.

I'm not demanding.

Regardless if your children were born here...

I wasn't. I was born in Nigeria.

The best I can do for you

is to see if there's any emergency shelters available.

But then you said you were married. Yes?

The shelters are for single mothers.

Please, we are currently squashed in my auntie's living room.

My mother is sleeping on the floor.

Well, I'm sorry to hear that

but, to be blunt, you have two options -

continue where you're staying or go back to Nigeria.

It's a cool place. They sell all kinds of sports stuff.

So you're just selling what, footballs?

For now, but I might be able to get a position in head office one day.

How many people have made it from shop-floor to head office?

Yes! Pop-Tarts. Go and say thank you to Auntie Dorcas.

We're leaving now. Thank you, Auntie!

Make sure Dami wears his coat and jumper. He doesn't have a coat yet.

Then make sure he wears a second jumper.

My father, don't worry. I'm already wearing four jumpers! Four jumpers?

He's not waiting four jumpers.

I'll come down this phone line and slap you well well.

Make sure you wear a jumper. Tunde, are you rolling your eyes?

Yes, he is. Dami! OK, we're going now.

Everybody come and say goodbye to Daddy. Bye, Dad. Bye, Dad.

Richard?

Yes... Have a good first day at school.

Thanks, Dad.

MUSIC POUNDS IN STORE

Yo, Mr Lagos! You know you're not going to sell the trainers

just cos you perfectly loop the laces?

Oh, but our supervisor instructed me to make them look presentable.

Yeah, by making sure that they're on the shelves

and not just jamming on the floor. Sorry.

Some advice, bruv. You see, if you want the big commission,

you're going to have to up your sales technique.

Practice with these girls.

Be like, "Wagwan, are you lookin' for some creps?"

Trainers!

Oh, yeah, sorry.

Wigwam, girls them. Uh, are you lookin' for some creeps?

THEY LAUGH

BELL RINGS

Damilola?

Dami?

What was that all about?

They are my friends. They think they are faster than me,

but I've beaten them three times already. Where are your jumpers?

Damilola, you forgot these.

Thank you, Sir.

Hi, I'm Damilola's teacher.

You must be Mum? Yes.

Well, he has had a wonderful first day at school.

I'll see you tomorrow, Damilola. Bye, Sir. Nice to meet you.

What did you buy? This is your new coat.

Is it Avirex? Av-what?

Avirex. A boy in my class has an Avirex jacket.

It looks really cool.

Or is it Versace?

Versac... Just walk on.

SHE CHUCKLES

No. No, stop it!

It's mine. Give it to me!

GENTLE MUSIC DROWNS SPEECH

No, she didn't. She got it for me.

Why are you laughing? I'm not laughing.

Give it to me. No, it's mine. It's mine!

SHE GIGGLES

That was a draw. Watch this.

Dami! That was a good one.

The bus was stuck in traffic. Yeah, yeah.

Bye. Bye, Dami.

I could have been home ages ago. I don't need you to pick me up.

Did I embarrass you in front of your girlfriend? Stop being immature.

In the afternoon was PE.

We did football and I think I was the best goalie in the whole school.

After that, I went to computer club to type up my English poem.

Is that why you were late today? No.

I was standing outside the library for ages, waiting for Tunde.

You were waiting for Tunde? Yes.

Tunde, come to the phone.

Yes, Sir. Why were you late?

There was traffic. Well, like, lots of it.

But you knew you were picking up your brother today.

You should have ensured you got an earlier bus.

I tried to, but there was a lot of traffic... I don't want to hear any excuses.

You are responsible for your junior brother, OK? Yes, Sir.

Can't I just come home on my own?

What time does that computer club finish? 4:30pm.

I can be home by 4:38 and 20 seconds.

I will discuss with your mother.

And let me hear your English poem.

DAMILOLA CLEARS HIS THROAT

I will travel far and wide to choose my destiny

And remould the world

I know it is my destiny

To defend the world

Which I hope to achieve during my lifetime.

HE HUMS

You're going to be late. Come on.

You think I don't know that? And tuck in your shirt. I will.

Did you brush your teeth? Yes.

All right. Come on, let's go, let's go, let's go.

Quickly, quickly. Gbemi, I'll see you later.

Bye, Gbemi. Let's go!

Have a good day.

SHE CHUCKLES

Do you know them guys?

Well, if they ever try to call you over,

you just ignore them and keep walking like you're doing now.

I know.

Be good...

..and come straight home after computer club. I will!

Dami! Awesome skills. Pass to me, pass!

Shoot! What a goal. Yes!

Goal!

DISTANT SIRENS WAIL

TRAIN RUMBLES

KEY TURNS IN LOCK

DOOR CLOSES

Gbemi?

Gbemi, where's Damilola?

SHE GROANS

I don't know. He hasn't come home yet.

SHE TUTS

Dami left here on time.

I'm going to inform the head that he might be missing

and I'll have a look around the area,

but hopefully he'll be back at home already.

DISTANT SIRENS WAIL

SIRENS WAIL

Please bring this boy home.

SHE WHISPERS

INDISTINCT POLICE RADIO CHATTER

Excuse me, what happened?

ON RADIO: 'The victim was wearing black trousers, school uniform

'and a silver knee-length jacket. Over.'

Mum?

PHONE RINGS

Yes?

For you.

Hello?

Hello, Dad.

Tunde?

I'm sorry.

What?

Dad, something's happened.

Is it Gbemi? No.

Dami went to school today...

..and he didn't come back.

Hello?

Tunde?!

Some... Somebody stabbed him.

He's dead.

I'm sorry.

RICHARD HANGS UP

Mr Taylor? Mr Taylor?

REPORTERS CLAMOUR

PLANE ENGINE STARTS UP

DOOR CLOSES

HE SNIFFS

I'm sorry.

Get up.

HE SNIFFS

Where is my daughter?

She is with Auntie Dorcas.

In Peckham?

Mr Taylor?

Would you like to see your son?

Yes.

Please, strength.

DOOR CLOSES

We believe Damilola was stabbed over there

and then ran into that stairwell.

If you want, we can pause for now and I can get them to leave. No.

I want to see where my son died.

Thank you.

I'll show you where he made it to.

He came all this way?

It seems he was trying to get home

and somehow had dragged himself from the street and to the stairs here.

A builder followed his trail of blood

into the stairwell and found him.

Is this is where my son died?

Is this it?

Is this is where my son died?!

Why did you buy such a jacket?

That is what the killers were probably trying to steal.

It was dark when he was coming home. He needed to be seen.

You have made him to be seen well well.

DOOR OPENS

They're ready for you now.

Shall we make our way to the conference room?

We can delay for five minutes if you want.

No, I will do it on my own.

Good morning, ladies and gentlemen. Thank you all for coming.

I'm going to hand you over to Damilola's father,

Mr Richard Taylor, who will be making a statement.

Any questions, please wait till the end. Thank you.

Mr Taylor?

Damilola was a boy with a promising future.

Since he came here, he has invested his time in learning about

computers, made great friends and enjoyed playing football.

Someone somewhere knows something

and, for some reason, they are sheltering the perpetrators.

I appeal to them to help us to bring these perpetrators to justice.

I cannot tell you how...

..how aggrieved I am at the sad loss of my Damilola.

My last son, our loved boy.

Thank you.

TV: For the Government, though, the death of Damilola Taylor

shows that the twin problems of poverty and crime...

Is the Prime Minister aware that

the family and the whole of Peckham are devastated...?

TONY BLAIR: ..shock and outrage not just in this House

and in her constituency, but right across the country...

..following up thousands of leads.

They know the killer's name is in the file,

but they lack the evidence they need...

..anyone who has information

to come forward and contact the incident room...

PETER SISSONS: ..a culture of hostility among youths

who witnessed the stabbing is holding up...

..or saw anything, it's not cool to keep it to yourself...

..someone out there knows -

it's their friend, you know, someone that they play football with...

..breaking news on the murder of schoolboy Damilola Taylor.

Within the last hour and a half...

..the four juveniles have now been charged

with the murder of Damilola Taylor.

PHONE RINGS

TUNDE: OK. Thank you.

The cab is here.

God has not given us a spirit of fear,

but that of power and of love and of a sound mind.

Come.

OK. She needs just one at lunchtime,

but make sure she eats first.

ON RADIO: '..accused of murdering the ten-year-old schoolboy.

'There's an alternative offence of assault with intent to rob Damilola Taylor.

'Because the trial involves juveniles...'

You all right, bredren?

SWITCHES RADIO OFF

HE SIGHS

You know what gets me proper vexed about all this?

If it was little Jimmy, yeah, from Chelsea that got killed,

you know they would have caught the killer straight away, innit?

But no, because it was lickle Damilola from Pecknarm...

It's a conspiracy, ally.

Well, I hope not. I believe, bruv. Believe.

I was born in this country. I was born and bread in Blighty

and they don't care about me.

So you know for damn sure they don't care about you lot.

If Damilola's death weren't reported on TV,

you think it would have even gone court? Pfft.

You lot are lucky it got this far. Young man, this is not about luck.

This is about the law of the land.

And where I come from, we have a respect for the law,

which comes from a system built by Great Britain,

the same country where my son was born.

I'm sorry to hear about your problems,

but they are your problems.

For my family, justice will be done.

REPORTERS CLAMOUR

Do you think you're going to get justice for your son?

Hey, it'll be OK.

Mr Taylor.

Mr Taylor, this way, please.

Mr Taylor, hi. They're ready.

Good morning. How are you?

Is this the right room?

Because the accused are 15, 16 and 17,

the court have decided to do away with the usual gowns and wigs.

THEY CHATTER

Look at this. Small, small boys.

These four standing trial

were between 14 and 16 when they murdered Damilola.

They have a hard and cruel streak in them.

They were possibly part of a larger group

and they'd been loitering in the area,

waiting - it would appear -

for a young and vulnerable victim to rob.

Damilola Taylor, walking alone in the quiet side street,

proved to be an irresistible target for these four boys.

They accosted him as he walked along the pavement.

He was stopped, surrounded and trapped.

..so much blood going up the stairs that I thought that

children might have been playing with tomatoes.

That's when I saw Damilola.

And, as I held him in my arms... HIS VOICE CRACKS

..he tried to smile at me and he said, "I'm OK."

As if meaning that he didn't want to be any trouble.

And that's when he passed out in my arms.

HE SINGS

THEY LAUGH

Thank you. Was that all right? Yeah.

It's going to make a difference.

I should have been there.

Damilola died from a six-centimetre S-shaped wound to his left thigh.

We believe this was made from a twisting motion

immediately as he was stabbed by the broken bottle.

This severed Damilola's main blood vessels.

During the postmortem examination,

I also discovered a children's marble was lodged in his mouth.

GIRL: I don't know, I don't know, I can't remember now.

The reason you can't remember is because you were not there. I was!

Complete nonsense.

You concocted this story because you crave attention.

And you probably think that coming forward makes you look

incredibly brave and important. I'm not a liar!

You might think I'm a liar,

but no matter how many times you try and catch me out,

you're not gonna catch me out because I'm not a liar.

And which police officer gave you that little speech to repeat?

THEY LAUGH

Don't let their unfortunate backgrounds distract you

from the complete lack of forensic evidence

to place the defendants in that stairwell

or place the weapon in their hands.

Indeed, there is more evidence that points towards

the young schoolboy falling onto the broken bottle

that severed his artery.

The identity of Damilola's assailants has not been established.

There is no evidence that it was these four boys.

..because of that, I'm left with no other option.

THEY CHEER

I don't understand.

Since the judge ruled that the evidence of our key witness

was inadmissible, it leaves us with little to go on.

The prosecution case can't continue.

I'm sorry.

What does that mean?

He's saying it is the end.

What about my Damilola?

Richard...

REPORTERS CLAMOUR

Can we have a quick word?

Er, ladies and gentlemen...

TENSE MUSIC DROWNS SPEECH

..the case has been dismissed.

What now?

Dad?

HE SOBS

Excuse me.

Would you be able to book me a cab, please? Of course.

SHOUTING

MUSIC POUNDS FROM CAR STEREO

Oi!

CHILD CRIES Shut up!

Oi, police! What?

He ain't police!

Hey, small boy. Why aren't you in school?

Shut up, man.

You are telling me to shut up?

HE SHOUTS

Hold up, hold up.

Ain't you Damilola's dad?

Oh, snap. It is, innit?

Bruv, you shoulda said, man.

It's liberties what dem peeps did to little Damiola. Damilola.

That's what I said, bruv.

Real talk, like. Sorry for your loss, innit.

If Damilola wasn't my son, what would you have done to me just now?

You think you are men, but you're just small boys.

Go home.

Go home.

Come on.

PEOPLE SHOUT AND LAUGH IN DISTANCE

DOOR OPENS

DOOR CLOSES

Afternoon. Afternoon.

What's the matter?

The council said that the public have been sending donations -

that we can go and collect it when we're ready.

SHE SIGHS

Well, it will help with the bills.

Just because you stuff them into a drawer

doesn't mean they disappear.

Didn't I say I'm sorting it out?

How?

I'm going back to my job.

Back to Nigeria?

You and Gbemi can come to.

You will not uproot Gbemi in the middle of her treatment.

You hear me?

So, what am I supposed to do?

Sit within these four walls and live on other people's charity?

I'm not leaving my sons behind.

Yeah, we have heard that one before.

Yes, please.

Mr Taylor?

Look, just to say I'm so angry at the injustice

that you and your wife have suffered.

I'm leading a talk at the end of the week

with some people from the community...

..and I'd love it if you could come.

Hey, no littering. BOY: Shut up, man!

What are you doing with that? What, I can't buy milk for my mum?

I told you this shop is racist. I'm calling the police.

What you calling them for? Cos he's a prick.

I'll give you a proper reason to dial 999. Excuse me.

Mr Taylor, what's good? Yes, yes, Mr Taylor.

Pick up that milk.

No. This fool was tryin' to disrespect, man.

But the milk didn't disrespect you, so pick it up.

HE SIGHS Only cos it's you, innit.

Hey. Shut up. Shut up, man.

Stop this nonsense. Out. Waste, man.

If you fight fire with fire, you will always be fighting.

Well, that's life in the ghetto, innit? Ghetto?!

If it's that bad, why do you spend so much time on the streets?

Cos my mum won't buy me a PS2.

Oh!

Out here's all we got, man, and it's free.

What about school?

I flunked my GCSEs.

My school won't let me take them,

say I'll drag down the percentage grade or something.

So you just spend your days getting high and in mischief?

Mm. What about your parents?

Don't feel bad, Mr Taylor.

Some people are born with a golden spoon in their mouth,

others are born in Peckham.

So it's Peckham's fault? MAN SHOUTS

You said it, not me.

INDISTINCT CHATTER

We can do Brixton on Friday and do the club in West End on Saturday.

Where's the salt?

It doesn't need salt.

All right.

See you in a bit.

Just like your father.

Evening.

Good evening.

She's upstairs sleeping. OK.

Thank you.

Good evening.

He said, "Good evening," when he walked in. Didn't you hear?

For what we are about to receive, make us truly thankful. Amen.

It's good to see that you are at home, at least.

I'm going out soon.

Oh, of course you are. Boozing again.

Listen, I've been invited to a community event on Friday night.

You might be too busy fraternising to care about this,

but they care about your brother.

So, anyway, I thought I'd mention it.

DOORBELL RINGS

I'll get it.

DOOR OPENS

Good evening, Mr Taylor.

My name is Detective Chief Inspector Nick Ephgrave from Homicide Command.

I realise your first experience of a trial and everything

was, well, terrible.

Personally, I'm still in shock that after all of that

you came out with nothing

and it's my job to tell you that this isn't the end.

We are going to re-examine the evidence,

we're going to look for new evidence.

Now that's the task being given to me.

Please don't lose hope.

And in the meantime, those... the people that killed Damilola,

they are roaming free.

At the minute, we don't know who killed Damilola

but it's my job to find them, and I believe we can.

Well, we believe that faith in your judicial system

is a waste of time.

And I will not put my family through that again.

I need justice for Damilola.

Look, why don't I leave this with you?

And I'll get in touch in a couple of days.

OK, thanks.

Thank you for coming, Officer.

We really appreciate you taking the time to visit us. Bye.

DOOR CLOSES

LOUD MUSIC PLAYS

So when am I going to meet her?

Who?

Your girlfriend.

Shall I put these in the cupboard or leave them out for you?

Are you ashamed?

I'll leave them here for you.

Have you told her?

Tunde.

Are you afraid of what she might think?

You have nothing to be ashamed of.

I think it's unfair to stereotype all the teenagers

that live in these estates.

I finished school, went to sixth form and now go to uni,

all while doing a part-time job.

Do you feel like the youth need to work more with the police?

They would if they wasn't stopped and searched every second

and mashed up in the back of police vans.

It's only cos a boy's been killed

that they're now trying to be nice while begging for help.

APPLAUSE

All right. Thank you. Thank you.

At this point I'd like to, if I may,

bring Richard Taylor into the debate.

Richard, thank you so much for coming.

Do you have anything to add?

Well, I prefer not to comment about the police.

But I can talk as a father and a Nigerian.

When I came in 2000, I was shaken to see the lack of parenting

and all these absent fathers.

In Nigeria, we recognise the importance of both parents

and that a child needs to be disciplined.

APPLAUSE

And what was it like for your children growing up?

Is that your other son next to you?

What have you learned from your father?

Get up and tell the people what you have learned.

I...

We had a good upbringing.

But when we moved to Britain,

it was just me, my mum, my sister and Damilola.

Dad didn't arrive until later.

Before he did, I found a job, I got on to a college course

which then got me a provisional place for university.

So I don't know how much having a dad around

or even African discipline

would have stopped those boys that done what they did.

Surely it's about people taking responsibility for themselves.

Because, yes, this is my father,

but this is my life.

I have to take responsibility for my actions. Exactly.

APPLAUSE

MUSIC DROWNS SPEECH

Nearly two hours after the meeting finished

they didn't want to let me go.

They couldn't get enough of what I was saying.

I said to myself, I can help reintroduce morals.

The community is hungry for this.

How was it for you?

Sorry? The community meeting, how was it?

It was fine. Then I had a thought.

We can use the funds from Dami's trust to set up in a space

where the youth feels safe to come.

There I can teach about the value of respect and hard work.

You?

Yes, me.

That's what these disadvantaged are clearly missing.

Those children who are never given a vision to see beyond their area.

That's like the boys that killed Dami.

Would you help them?

It's a good question.

Did you born me? Hey! Did you born me?

Focus on your schoolwork. That's all you need to do.

I'm focused on university.

Then update me. What are your recent grades?

Come on.

I'm doing OK.

I've just got a couple retakes, but... Retakes!

But I am not... "Hey, this is my life."

Huh?

"This is my biggest responsibility."

PHONE RINGS

Hello.

Yes, speaking.

Oh. Hello, Officer.

Who?

Yes, I do.

Asking for me?

No, no, please, don't do that.

I'm on my way.

I will answer for them.

Yes, I am coming now.

I'm going out.

Who are you doing all of this for?

What kind of nonsense question is that?

I cannot live my live as a failure,

nor can I sit on my backside and wait for justice to come.

This is for my boy.

Hey!

Is this how you repay me for bringing you out?

Why did you ask for me and not your parents?

Cos we knew you'd come, innit?

I weren't even trying to get in trouble tonight.

I saw them Woolwich boys and I walked on, but he didn't let me go.

Why are you snitching for, bruv? Let him speak.

Shut your mouth, man. You think I'm a youth worker,

that you can talk to me like that?

I worked with the Nigerian government

alongside generals and politicians,

so if you want to test my authority, then step forward.

Whatever, man. Go back to your mud hut. Dapo, come.

Yes, go! Stop wasting my time!

I have bigger things to deal with than you foolish small boys.

You are lucky we are not in Nigeria.

Go and destroy your life. Nonsense.

Come, take me to your house.

Dapo! What did I tell you if you ever bring police to my door?

Go inside. Pack your bags. I am not police.

Oh? Who are you?

My name is Richard Adeyemi Taylor.

Adeyemi?

TRANSLATION:

Since this cheeky one was a small, small boy.

I just wanted to encourage you to keep a firm eye on Dapo.

Hm.

How can I work all the hours needed to keep a roof over our heads

and still watch over him? Is he a baby?

Look, I wasn't there for my son, to protect him...

Another one who forgets his family

after the London air reaches his nostrils.

Listen, I have raised Dapo to know right from wrong.

He must now make the right choice for himself.

Did you hear that?

DOOR CLOSES

He's gone.

RICHARD: Every child has a hidden talent. Our aim is to bring it out.

Every child becomes an adult.

Our aim is to encourage their growth in a safe and loving environment,

to provide more inner-city youths with the chance to play and learn

and live free from fear and violence...

..to channel their imagination into something positive.

Damilola was a big dreamer...

..and we promise to encourage others to dream big

and to work towards seeing their dreams come true.

And to inspire others, at the forefront,

will be my Damilola's poem.

I will travel far and wide to choose my destiny

And remould the world

I know it is my destiny to defend the world

Which I hope to achieve in my lifetime.

APPLAUSE

FAINT VOICES: Mr Taylor, how does it feel...?

It is a very proud day for us.

We have been on a long journey,

we are still on it.

To get to the point where we can

proudly open a place like this for the community...

VOICE FADES OUT

Yes, I'd gladly come to the next consultation meeting.

Next Tuesday is tricky but I will shift things around.

OK, wonderful.

Bye.

CHATTER

I know, but I want this one too.

CHUCKLING

Hello.

Hi.

Hmm. It is good to see you're looking after yourself.

Thanks.

Hello, Dad.

Oh, sorry, my dear. Good evening.

Please, make me a cup of tea.

I'm going to go. No, stay.

Aren't you going to ask him?

Well done.

Oh, what a busy day.

These youths are something else.

Especially that Dapo.

Every day he surprises me.

Before my eyes, I have seen him go from a boy to a man.

You know he has never been to Nigeria?

I think maybe I should organise a programme

that helps children like him to visit their homeland.

What do you think?

Oh, you'd be perfect at that -

just look at how you've led our family.

Are you OK?

You tell me, Richard. Why wouldn't I be OK?

Hey, excuse us.

No, let them stay. They're no longer children any more.

Let them hear how you sent their mother to this country

while you barked instructions from Nigeria.

You didn't provide us with a home, enough money.

You didn't keep the children fed.

You didn't have to find a school for Damilola.

And yet you flew in and you blamed me.

You blamed Tunde.

You blamed the school, you blamed Peckham,

you blamed the police, you blamed the government,

everyone is to blame for Damilola's death!

Every day, I blame myself.

Every day.

We didn't kill Damilola.

We didn't!

Where's Mum?

She's still getting ready.

How's your flat?

It's fine.

Hey, look at you!

It's the graduate!

SHE CHUCKLES

You are both looking wonderful.

A real gentleman and gentlewoman.

CAR HORN BEEPS

Gloria.

The gentleman is waiting for us.

Ah-ah!

Look at this fine girl!

Looking good, Mum.

Thank you.

Johanna Thea.

APPLAUSE

Babatunde Taylor.

WHOOPING AND APPLAUSE

Thank you, Jesus!

Today you have made me really proud.

Thank you.

What are you thanking me for?

All I did was send my boy to Britain.

Now, he is a man.

I missed so much...

..and I am sorry.

You lost Dami.

How can I expect you to think about me?

Because you're also my boy.

Hey. I know he must be dancing up in heaven now...

THEY CHUCKLE

..proud of his big brother.

And I know he still believes his daddy will get him justice.

The cab is here.

What?

Well, this is the end of a long journey.

Let's see it through.

It will be OK.

Father God, we ask for your strength today.

Amen. Baba, we pray for justice for Damilola.

In Jesus' mighty name, we pray. Amen.

Amen.

Phone went, and it was my sister, Jane,

Phone went, and it was my sister, Jane,

and she said, "It's looking quite serious, really serious."

A short while ago, Buckingham Palace confirmed

the death of Diana, Princess of Wales.