Wolverhampton knife crime campaigner Pooja Kanda meets the King, Prime Minister and Idris Elba at summit
The mother of Wolverhampton knife crime victim Ronan Kanda met with the King, the Prime Minister and actor Idris Elba at a summit at St James's Palace today (Tuesday).
Pooja Kanda, whose 16-year-old son Ronan was murdered yards from his home in a case of mistaken identity, was among the guests at a summit also attended by Home Secretary Yvette Cooper and Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy to discuss initiatives to prevent young people being drawn into knife crime.
She said it was good to meet such influential people, and was hopeful that the issues discussed would have tangible effects in making the streets safer.
And speaking exclusively to the Express & Star, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer praised Mrs Kanda for her resilience and courage, and said the Government was determined to prevent other people from experiencing similar tragedies.
Ronan was murdered close to his home in Lanesfield, Wolverhampton, after he visited a friend's house to buy a PlayStation controller in June 2022.
A trial heard his attackers, one of whom had just collected knives bought online, mistook him for his friend.
Prabjeet Veadhesa and Sukhman Shergill, who were both also just 16 at the time of the crime, were both convicted of murder at Wolverhampton Crown Court the following year. Veadhesa was told he would serve a minimum term of 18 years and Shergill was given a minimum of 16 years.
During the summit, Sir Keir outlined his proposals to draw young people away from crime.
