Grieving school friends of stabbing victim Yousef Makki, 17, join mourners at his funeral

Family and school friends of stabbing victim Yousef Makki, 17, have gathered for his funeral following his death in a knife attack in a Cheshire village. 

Crowds of mourners gathered inside the meeting hall of the Dar Al Hadi Foundation in Manchester, a charity that runs educational and social projects from youngsters. 

Friends of the victim stood outside the venue in jackets and ties as one boy read a statement to the Press. They then filed in to the building, which was packed with well-wishers. 

Friends of the victim stood outside the venue in jackets and ties as one boy read a statement to the Press. They then filed in to the building, which was packed with well-wishers

Young mourners – many wearing their school ties, file into Yousef’s funeral today at the Dar Al Hadi Foundation in Manchester

The teenager was stabbed in the village of Hale Barns at around 6.40am on March 2 on a weekend of violence that also saw the murder of Jodie Chesney, also 17, at a park in Romford, east London. 

Yousef, from Burnage, Manchester, is thought to have won a scholarship to attend the £12,000-a-year independent Manchester Grammar School. 

Officers attended the scene and Yousef was taken to hospital, where he died a short time later. Floral tributes have been left on the tree-lined street where Yousef was found.

A two-minute silence was held on Monday by pupils and staff at his school, which described him as ‘a dearly loved young man and incredibly bright pupil’ who was studying four A-levels and had aspirations to pursue a career in medicine. 

The teenager was stabbed in the village of Hale Barns at around 6.40am on March 2 on a weekend of violence that also saw the murder of Jodie Chesney, also 17, at a park in Romford, east London

In an earlier tribute, his family described the teenager as a ‘loving and caring son and brother’ who was sporty and a dedicated student.

‘We are absolutely devastated and cannot believe that our son has gone. This senseless loss has affected the whole community,’ they said.

‘Yousef had only phoned home hours earlier to say that he would be home for his tea, but the next knock at the door were officers with the tragic news, it is every parent’s worst nightmare.’

A 17-year-old boy appeared in court last week to answer charges that he murdered the teenager. 

The youngster’s mother broke down in tears as the teenager walked into Manchester’s Youth Court for the two-minute hearing.

The youth, who cannot be named for legal reasons, is accused of murder and possession of a silver lock-knife. 

Another 17-year-old boy, who has been bailed, is accused of trying to help him dispose of the weapon.

Dressed in a grey sweat-shirt, black trousers and displaying a black-eye, the teenager acknowledged his mother and father with a brief nod and a downward smile as he stood in the dock.

The defendant was asked to state his name and give his date of birth. He nodded as he was told he would be remanded.

Meanwhile, the second teenager appeared in court, also last week, charged with assisting an offender and possession of a knife and was released on bail.

The 17-year-old, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was told to ‘keep out of trouble’ by magistrates.

He told he would be released on bail and ordered to come back to court in two weeks’ time. 

A police van carrying the 17-year-old charged with the murder of Yousef Makki arrives at Manchester Crown Court last week 

Officers attended the scene in Hale Barns on March 2 and Yousef was taken to hospital, where he died a short time later

Yousef poses in Lebanese colours. He wanted to study medicine and become a heart surgeon