Joseph Marafini

Joseph Marafini was a 15-year-old boy from Wandsworth whose life was tragically taken on 29 October 2020.

Remembered by his family as a loving, kind-hearted and protective young man, Joseph was known for standing up for others and looking out for those who were vulnerable. His death devastated his family, friends and local community, who mourned the loss of a boy with his whole future ahead of him.

Joseph was outside a Sainsbury’s supermarket on Garratt Lane with friends when they were confronted by a group of young men. In what police described as a completely unprovoked attack, he was stabbed in the shoulder and neck while still holding onto his bicycle. Despite the efforts of police officers and paramedics who rushed to his aid, he died shortly afterwards in hospital.

His killer, Imran Boudjellel, a 20-year-old man of Algerian heritage living in Walworth, was convicted of murder and sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum term of 22 years. The court heard that Boudjellel was a habitual knife carrier and that Joseph had done nothing to provoke the attack.

Joseph’s family described him as “full of love” and said that his loss had changed their lives forever.

Rest in peace Joseph. You will not be forgotten.