Tributes to stabbed Hastings teen (From The Argus)

Tributes to stabbed Hastings teen

1:26pm Saturday 7th April 2012 in News By Anna Roberts , Crime reporter

A sixth-form pupil who was stabbed in the chest died with his big brother by his side.

Talking to The Argus yesterday, Jacob Woudstra’s heartbroken father Steve told how his son, a 17-year-old A-level student, was with his older brother Levi outside a pub when he was fatally knifed.

Jacob was attacked near The Shah pub in Mount Pleasant Road, Hastings, at 3.20pm on Friday.

Mr Woudstra said: “He died standing side by side with his older brother.

“Jacob was lovely.

“He was a good student. He worked hard at school. He was a good team player. He will be so, so missed.”

He said Harley-Davidson motorbikes would lead his son’s funeral.

Recently the father and son travelled to Holland on a Harley – Jacob as a pillion passenger.

Levi, 19, a scaffolder, said: “He was a lovely boy and we will miss him a lot.”

The family showed cards given to them by Jacob’s friends.

A group of girls had written touching messages.

One said: “You will never be forgotten and that’s a promise. Such an intelligent boy.”

Another said: “Jacob, such a waste of a talent. Sixth form won’t be the same without you.”

Many people also came to lay flowers near the spot where he died, just yards from his home.

Hannah Robinson, 17, one of Jacob’s best friends, said: “He was absolutely lovely.

“He was a treasure. He loved football, friends and socialising. He was a really good friend.”

Rhys Ball, 19, Levi’s best friend, said: “He was your typical 17-year-old boy and a really talented footballer. He was kind and hardworking.”

Chris Pearson, 18, added: “We used to live next door to each other and he was always lovely. We played football together. He was very tal- ented.”

Two men, a 41-year-old from Bexhill and a 31-year- old from Rye, have been arrested on suspicion of murder.

Last night they were being questioned by detectives.

The pub and much of Mount Pleasant Road remained cordoned off yesterday.

Police this afternoon have formally identified Jacob as the victim.

A spokeswoman added a post mortem carried out yesterday afternoon determined the cause of his death as a stab wound to the chest.

An inquest will be opened in due course.

Hastings District Commander Chief Inspector Heather Keating said: "The local community - and in particular those who knew Jacob - remain in shock by this tragedy and our thoughts are with them all at this very difficult time.

"I would like to stress that this is not a randomattack and the wider community are not at risk. The attack appears to have followed a dispute in the public house between individuals that knew each other.

"We appreciate that this crime will cause some fear and anxiety amongst the community and particulary among parents of fellow students and friends of Jacob. However, this type of crime is extremely uncommon and we do not want people to be unduly alarmed - this was not a stranger attack and Hastings remains the safe place to live, work and study.

"I would once again like to thank local people for all their co-operation and patience during this police investigation.

"It remains very active and there is still a lot of work to be done but the community has really pulled together."

Anyone with information about Jacob’s death should call Sussex Police on 101 quoting Operation Chinnock.