Reward for information on 1994 Brixton stabbing

A reward of up to £20,000 has been offered for information about a teenager who was attacked after leaving a nightclub in south London 31 years ago.

James Akinwande, 18, was chased, beaten and stabbed by a large group of men while leaving the Vox nightclub in Brighton Terrace, Brixton, at about 04:45 GMT on 16 January 1994.

The Metropolitan Police said there had been fights during the music event that night, prompting Mr Akinwande and his friends to go home early.

The teenager's family, who are supporting the appeal, described him as "the light in our lives" and said they had suffered an "unimaginable loss".

Det Supt Katherine Goodwin from the Metropolitan Police said: "Think back to 1994 – did you attend this music event? Did you witness the attack on James?

"You may have been younger then and got involved in something you were not comfortable with, or now regret not speaking out about.

"It has been 31 years since James's tragic murder and we are still actively searching for the group of young men involved in this horrific attack.

"If you saw or heard anything, then please come forward to talk with us."

Mr Akinwande's family said in a statement: "James was a light in our lives. He was generous, endlessly funny and filled with a positivity that brightened every room he entered.

"His laugh, his energy and his love for life are deeply missed every single day.

"The perpetrators of this senseless act tore a void in our family that can never be filled.

"His mother, devastated by the loss of her son, has never been the same and finds it too painful to even visit his grave.

"The impact of James's absence is felt in every moment, and we continue to grieve the life he was so cruelly denied."

The teenager was targeted by the group outside a branch of Boots on Brixton Road after leaving the music event with friends.

He managed to escape and approach a police van where he collapsed and was given first aid before paramedics arrived.

He died later at King's College Hospital.

A post-mortem examination revealed the cause of death was due to stab wounds to the chest and left arm.

He was wearing a distinct Fila jacket, half red and half dark blue with the logo on the back. It was stolen on the night of the attack and remains missing.

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