My son was stabbed to death by a man 20 years older than him – it ruined me… I will never understand why
A GRIEVING dad has blasted his teen son’s adult killer as he asked: "What went through your head to push a knife through my son's neck?"
George Harling, 42, also said "a piece of me died with him" when Keane, 16, was murdered by Sadikee Williams, then 36.
Williams, 37, was yesterday found guilty of murdering Keane in Lambeth, South London, just one day before the teenager was due to start an electrician college course.
No motive was ever established for last July's fatal stabbing and police called Williams a "dangerous individual".
George, of Clapham, South London, said he just wants to know "why? Why?", adding: "That's always going to be the unanswered question."
He told how Keane was "very special" to him because they beat odds of one-in-133,000 when he was born on his birthday in June.
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He said: “Every year I shared my birthday with my son. We would all meet up, have cake and celebrate his birthday with him and then mine.
“My first birthday without him is coming up next month. I’m dreading it. Absolutely dreading it.”
George added his son loved motorbikes and was looking forward to getting a moped licence.
The Tottenham Hotspur fan, whose full name was Keane George Lee Defoe Flynn-Harling, also went to a few of the Spurs games and was named after the team’s players.
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Some former players including Darren Anderton and Lesley King, as well as the club, club chairman and Robbie Keane’s wife Claudine wrote to George after the killing, he said.
Anderton, 50, wrote in a message: "This is something that should never happen and I cannot imagine how you are feeling.
"I hope that our football club brought many moments of happiness to Keane in his life cut way too short in such saddening circumstances."
King, 41, who spent his entire career at Spurs, added: "I can't imagine how difficult it has been for you as a family and I send you great strength and best wishes from everyone here at the Club."
Keane died from a single stab wound to his neck less than 45 minutes after being knifed. He was also slashed in the jaw.
He walked by Williams' first-floor flat as he was on the balcony shortly before midnight. Williams came down and stabbed the victim after a brief exchange with Keane's friend.
It's ruined my life completely
George Harling
Williams and two other men then chased Keane's friends, who escaped. Keane ran for a short distance before collapsing.
George, a builder who has been signed off work, added: “Keane had his whole life ahead of him.
“I keep getting flashbacks, even to the time I got the phone call.
“It’s ruined my life completely. A 37-year-old that killed my 16-year-old son.
“I couldn’t believe it. It’s been going on in London for many years but it’s mostly gangs and postcode wars.
“They’re usually the same age. I could never accept my son being murdered but someone his age would make more sense.”
'KILLED IN COLD BLOOD'
Keane’s brother Billy Townsend, 28, also told The Sun he feels anger towards the killer and asked: "Why did you do it? What would make you want to do that?
"You have ruined my family's lives now. I will never understand why. None of us will."
He also said: "I would probably understand it more if another teenager killed him. It was a 36-year-old who did it which you don't really hear."
Billy described Keane as bubbly and loving, adding: "My six-year-old son loved his uncle Keane.
"He was so loving even for his age. He was just a happy young lad."
He said the families have plants in their gardens to remember him.
George wants to set up a legacy for his son - to raise awareness over knife crime and ensure Keane is more than a statistic.
Billy said: "I'm still trying to come to terms with it all.
"I was at home with my mum and my other brother when we got a phone call from dad saying he has been stabbed and he's died.
"I was in total shock. I hoped Dad had made a mistake, hoping that he was not dead.
Why did you do it? What would make you want to do that? You have ruined my family's lives now.
Billy Townsend
"We made our way to the scene and that's when it started to hit. It was really hard."
Met Police DI Adam Guttridge said: “Williams is a dangerous individual who did not hesitate in killing a teenage boy in cold blood.
"The moment he saw Keane and his friends that evening he was intent on causing serious harm and had no regard for the consequences or devastation he would cause.
"Keane’s family have had to suffer this unbearable loss because of his actions."
George added he had mixed emotions following yesterday's verdict at Isleworth crown court. He spent the evening with family.
A family statement said: “Keane was a beautiful, kind, caring and loving son. A wonderful young man who would always light up a room.
"He had a huge smile and an even bigger heart. His family meant everything to him. He was a doting older brother and cousin who enjoyed riding bikes and playing football with his friends.
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"Keane’s presence will be sadly missed by all who had the pleasure of knowing him, especially his mother, father, brothers and sister.”
Williams will be sentenced next month.
