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Corby stabbing: Vigil held for Rayon Pennycook, 16

BBC Vigil for Rayon PennycookBBC
Rayon Pennycook's family have urged his friends not to seek retribution after he was stabbed to death

A vigil has been held in memory of a teenage boy who was stabbed to death in a town street.

Rayon Pennycook, 16, died on Constable Road in Corby, Northamptonshire, on 25 May.

Pastor Andrew Rashford-Hewitt, who organised Thursday's event outside Corby Cube, said it was about "shared sympathy and community cohesion".

A 17-year-old boy charged with murder will face trial, while four other arrested teenagers have been bailed.

The vigil took place between 18:15 and 18:45 BST on public decking facing Westcott Way, near Corby Cube.

Northamptonshire Police Rayon PennycookNorthamptonshire Police
Police said paramedics tried to save Rayon Pennycook, but he died at the scene

Mr Rashford-Hewitt, from the Seventh Day Adventist Church, said Rayon's death had been "very shocking".

"It's very hard to come to terms with a young person losing their life in such a tragic way," he said.

"There is a sense of shared sympathy and community cohesion."

Pastor Andrew Rashford-Hewitt
Pastor Andrew Rashford-Hewitt organised the vigil, which he said was a moment for reflection but with an element of hope
Vigil for Rayon Pennycook
The vigil took place outside the town's main civic building, the Corby Cube - just five minutes walk from where Rayon was killed

He added it was a chance for the town to show it is a "positive place to live and to encourage our young people to make positive choices".

Ahead of the vigil, Rayon's family had said they were "overwhelmed" by the support they have received, but urged his friends "not to seek retribution".

An inquest into Rayon's death was opened and adjourned on Thursday.

Vigil for Rayon Pennycook
A 17-year-old boy has been charged with murder in relation to Rayon Pennycook's death

A 17-year-old boy, who cannot be named for legal reasons, is due to stand trial charged with murder later this year.

Four other teenagers, aged 15, 16 and two who are 17, who were arrested on suspicion of murder, have been bailed pending further police inquiries.

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