PUPILS and teachers of St Josephs' Academy in Blackheath gathered to pay their respects to their friend Jude Akapa, who died tragically after an assault in July.

The 15-year-old's funeral was held at East London Cemetry in Plaistow, and his mother, Shola, described how proud she was to see so many people attend.

She said: "There were lots of Jude's friends from school there as well as his family. They sang and paid tribute to him - it was wonderful. "

The headteacher of the Lee Terrace school explained afterwards: "Shortly before his life was so tragically cut short, Jude had been picked to go to Nottingham University for a one -week summer school for gifted and talented pupils, and the school was looking forward to seeing him achieve his great promise.

"Our thoughts are with Jude's family at this time."

A 16-year-old boy has pleaded guilty to Jude's manslaughter at the Old Bailey. He will be sentenced on December 21.

December 4, 2001 12:55