A 14-YEAR-OLD boy who accidentally slit the throat of a “bright star” Edmonton footballer was handed a six year sentence today.

Jahmal Mason-Blair, who lived with his sister, Maria Mason, 36, in Edmonton, and played for Boreham Wood FC, was trying to calm Michael Ematuwo when the boy wildly swung the “savage” blade at another teenager cutting into Jahmal's neck and ending his life.

The Old Bailey heard of the devastating impact upon Jahmal's father, Wesley Blair, who was left unable to sleep and forced to look for a new home further away from the scene of the killing, in Hackney, on May 23.

His mother, Tetela Raphael, said she did not take in the loss of her “beautiful” son until she saw his body in the mortuary.

In a statement, the family said they could not put into words the devastation that the death of Jamal, who had trials for Tottenham and Watford football clubs, has caused.

They said: “The impact has been overwhelming. We have been physically, emotionally and spiritually drained for what seems like forever.

“The knowledge that such a loving, kind and talented young man will never fulfil his wonderful potential is almost too much to bear.

“We want the boy responsible, and the community as a whole, to realise the long-lasting and appalling effect caused by one boy choosing to carry a knife.

“Only by our communities looking out for one another will we be able to put an end to the needless deaths of our sons and brothers.”

The court heard how 5ft Ematuwo was being bullied by Jahmal's cousin Rushane Harmon who was taller and had stolen his bicycle.

Jahmal had tried to recover his friend's property but Mr Harmon hit the 14-year-old twice on the head with a stick.

Ematuwo swung the blade in an effort to defend himself but as Jahmal tried to break up the conflict the knife landed on the 17-year-old's throat.

Judge Paul Worsley QC lifted reporting restrictions that usually prevent the identification of young people accused of crimes so that the case may act as a deterrent to others.

He told Ematuwo: “You have taken the life of a young man, Jahmal. You have destroyed the life of his family and indeed that of your own. Jahmal was a bright star in the lives of his family.

“He was a descent, popular boy and a talented footballer who had been invited for trials for football clubs. He was a boy who met his death trying to prevent violence, not cause it.

“Nothing I can say will restore him to his loving family, I've read their heart felt impact statements. On that night you had with you a flick knife.

“It was designed to inflict terrible harm if used. You carried it late at night and you used it.”

He described the blade as a “savage, large flick knife”.

Ematuwo burst into tears as he was sentenced to six years in a detention centre for manslaughter.

Lady Ann Mallalieu QC, defence counsel, said her client had been using the knife to repel Mr Harmon and asked the judge to take pity on him due to his age and the impact serving a sentence will have on him.

She said: “He had no intention of causing any harm to anyone on that night.”