The family of murdered teenager Kristy Bamu said today that they have forgiven his killers.
A statement read out at the Old Bailey, written by Kristy's father, Pierre, on behalf of his relatives and friends, including his mother, Jacqueline, said they had forgiven Kristy's sister, Magalie, and her boyfriend, Eric Bikubi, for his horrifying death.
The 15-year-old was tortured and beaten at their east London flat before he drowned on Christmas Day in 2010.
Prosecutor Brian Altman QC read the statement, which said: "We will never forget, but to put our lives back into sync we must forgive.
"We take no comfort in the verdicts - we have been robbed of a beloved son, a daughter, a son-in-law."
It continued: "Kristy died in unimaginable circumstances at the hands of people who he loved and trusted. People who we all loved and trusted.
"Christmas, a festival of joy and Jacqueline's birthday, will always be scarred by these terrible events."
It went on: "We were always fond of Eric and regarded him as a son. We were proud that he would call us Mum and Dad.
"As a family we planned our futures together and Eric and I were to open a restaurant in London together as a legacy for our family."
He said that football coach Bikubi had often talked about Kristy's potential as a footballer.
Bikubi and Magalie Bamu subjected Kristy to horrific violence before he died because they thought he was possessed by witchcraft.
The statement went on: "To know that Kristy's own sister, Magalie, did nothing to save Kristy makes the pain that much worse. We are still unaware of the full extent of the brutality - we cannot bring ourselves to hear it."
Mr Bamu said: "The pain of Kristy's death is something which cannot be measured or calculated.
"Kristy was a fine young man, kind and considerate, much loved by his family and friends. We saw that he was becoming a man.
"We hoped that he would work with me in my carpentry business and one day take over. Kristy was also a role model to his siblings."
He said of Kristy's brothers and sisters: "The children are often quiet and alone in their rooms. We try to stay strong for them and Jacqueline and I are compelled to grieve alone so as not to distress the children."