A grieving mother said her ‘world stopped’ when her son was stabbed to death in a park by a baby-faced killer who later boasted ‘I wetted your boy’.
Kamila Wisniewska was left heartbroken when her ‘happy and beloved’ son Tomasz Oleszak, 14, was killed in October last year by knife-wielding Leighton Amies, 14, on the Springwell Estate in Gateshead.
Amies, who boasted ‘I’ve wetted your boy’ to a group of youths after stabbing Tomasz, was convicted of his murder in June this year. He will spend at least 12 years behind bars.
Kamila has now urged parents to ‘pay more attention’ to their children ‘before it’s too late’ and to ask for help from local services if they notice ‘bad changes in them’.
She is also supporting a week-long knife amnesty this week where those with blades can surrender the weapons at police stations regionwide.
Tomasz Oleszak (pictured), 14, was killed in October last year by knife-wielding Leighton Amies, 14, on the Springwell Estate in Gateshead
Amies (pictured), who boasted about stabbing Tomasz, was convicted of his murder in June this year. He will spend at least 12 years behind bars
Undated handout photo issued by Northumbria Police of the knife used by Amies to kill Tomasz
Kamila said: ‘My world stopped on October 3 last year and the terrifying images of that night come back to me every day.
‘I still don’t believe I have lost Tomasz forever and I’m still waiting for him to come back. It’s terrifying what Leighton did.
‘How terribly he hurt Tomasz, me, my entire family, friends and our community. Words cannot express how our hearts have been torn to shreds.
‘My son never hurt anyone and never wished harm on anyone. He was happy, enjoyed life and had plans for the future.
‘My heart goes out to all those families who have lost someone in this way. Hearing of other children whose lives have been lost makes my blood run cold.
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‘Who do you have to be to leave home armed with a knife? What is this world coming to when children kill children?
‘I really hope that people will learn lessons from our loss but that remains to be seen. I think that badness is hard to overcome, but I do believe change is possible and good should always win.
‘For me, this change starts in the home. So I am asking you all, parents and guardians, please pay more attention to your children before it is too late.
Tomasz’s (pictured) mother Kamila Wisniewska said her ‘world stopped’ when she found out about her son’s death
She said Tomasz (pictured) was ‘happy, enjoyed life and had plans for the future’
Floral tributes left on Aycliffe Crescent , in Gateshead, following Tomasz’s death
‘Teach them respect for others and the world. Be interested in them, ask about their private life and their problems, because sometimes it is not visible, sometimes they keep it to themselves and then it may be too late and someone will be hurt.
‘If you need help and you notice bad changes in them, ask the school, psychologists or the police for help. Don’t pretend that you don’t see it or think that your child will just change, because more often change doesn’t happen and tragedy can happen.’
Kamila has also written a letter set to be given to schoolchildren telling them: ‘Try to imagine that the friend who is sitting next to you now is sitting there for the last time.’
Northumbria Police Superintendent Scott Cowie added: ‘Education is essential to change attitudes, highlight the potential consequences of carrying knives and make sure the message is heard loud and clear that it is completely unacceptable to go out with a weapon.
‘We would also ask families to continue to have conversations about the dangers of carrying knives – and if you suspect someone is going out doing so to let us know so we can take positive action.
‘I would also ask people to work with us and play their part by bringing in unwanted knives and sharp objects into our surrender bins and making sure that suspicious behaviour is reported.’
