Mum’s dream to turn young from knives
Mar 6 2008 by Chris Robinson, The Journal
THE mother of murdered Samantha Madgin has made an emotional plea for teenagers to stop carrying knives after her daughter was stabbed to death in the street.
Samantha, 18, was knifed 10 times by 15-year-old Jordan Jobson, who killed the new mum last August when high on drink and cocaine.
Last night Alison Madgin, of Wallsend, North Tyneside, told The Journal she is reminded of her popular daughter as she brings up Samantha’s 10-month-old son Callum.
As she played with her grandson at home in High View, which she shares with son Lee, 22, and daughter Carly, 17, she said she wanted young people to realise the dangers of living in a “gang culture”.
Mrs Madgin, 42, has received comfort from charity the North East Victims Association, which offers help and support for families whose children have been murdered.
She said: “What I want more than anything is to make an impact. If I can just get one young person to realise the danger that they can cause by using a knife, and I suppose drink and drugs, then that will be it.
“Where is the culture that they are living in? It’s not all teenagers – it’s just this minority that are going around like gangsters, wannabe gangsters.
“They have to realise there’s more to life than that and it’s up to them to find out what life has got to offer them. That is no way of life.”
Samantha was stabbed to death in an alleyway between Albert Avenue and Victoria Avenue, Wallsend, on August 2.
On Mothering Sunday her mother laid a bouquet at the spot where her daughter was killed, and another at her grave.
Looking at Callum, Mrs Madgin said: “Every day I get him to speak to his mam. I show him pictures and say, ‘That’s your mam’ and he keeps grabbing them from the fireplace.
“He will always know who his mam was. I am his nan, not his mam, and that’s important to me. He will be told by everyone how much his mother loved him and I have kept everything for him to show him how many people loved her.
“Samantha was a very popular girl and she loved everyone. I never had any fears about her being a good mother to Callum. It’s just sad that she only had those 68 days.
“I’m just so glad I’ve got him. It’s the only gift she could have given us and he was so special to his mam.
“The last couple of days, he has been getting stronger on his feet, but it’s times like that that you just think of his mam even more. He puts a smile on your face, but it doesn’t take away the pain. It’s heartbreaking to look at him, and people say that she will be looking down watching over him, but I know she will be heartbroken too.”
Jobson, 15, of Holywell Avenue, Walker, Newcastle, was convicted of murder by a jury at Newcastle Crown Court on Monday after initially pleading guilty to manslaughter, and sentencing has been adjourned until April 7.
