A mum has spoken of the devastating decision to turn off her son’s life support machine after he was stabbed. Lisa Kilkenny's son Joseph Whitchurch, 16, was fatally stabbed in the early hours of Boxing Day 2020 by 21-year-old Jake Rollinson in Stapleford.
He was rushed to hospital but died of his injuries three days later. Joseph had enjoyed Christmas Day with his family before he asked if he could go to his friend’s house nearby for a few drinks.
Lisa said: “We all sat down together to enjoy our Christmas Day dinner. Joseph said he was full and gave me a kiss to say thank you and ‘I love you’.
“When he asked later if he could go to his friend’s I said ‘of course, but don’t be late’. He asked if I would order him a taxi to get him home and I said ‘of course’."
She added: “There was a knock at the door which I assumed was Joseph saying he had fallen asleep at his friend’s.
"To my horror I discovered a concerned and shaken up police officer trying to explain that he needed to get me to hospital quickly as Joseph had been stabbed. I was in complete and utter shock. On the way I felt how serious it was, as the officer received a call and the car sped so fast.
"I felt numb, sick and full of confusion. I just wanted to see Joseph so much. I then got ushered into a room frantically calling his dad. I was shattered and I had so many questions.
"My beautiful boy was lying there after so much surgery. No parent ever imagines going through this and the pain and anguish as you await news and the enormity of his injuries.
“I was praying and telling Joseph not to leave me. I prayed God would take me instead. It’s so hard to put into words but the pain in me was taking my breath."
Lisa's worst fears were then realised when medics told her Joseph was not going to pull through, with her having to make the decision to turn off her son’s life support machine after he was declared brain dead.
“When we were told that he was brain dead, we had to say goodbye. I remember screaming ‘how am I going to live without you, my beautiful boy?’ Everyone was crying. The pain was so immense and touched everyone," Lisa said.
“Having to tell friends and family this news left them in utter shock and full of grief. I struggled looking at my mum and dad as the pain in their eyes was too much to see. They were broken.
“His brothers were in complete shock, the grief is still consuming their young lives. They were so close and looked up to their amazing big brother. He had been there since they were born and shared an amazing bond.
“No-one should have to endure such pain. Nothing will ever be as dark as the day you are told that your son is dead.
“To have a child die is so devastating but to also deal with the fact that somebody brutally stabbed your precious child is another level. How could one human do that to another? It’s too much to ever get my head around.”
Describing her ‘loving and caring’ son, Lisa said: “Joseph had a smile that would light up a room. He loved being around people and people loved being around him. He had a happy nature, and his warm and caring personality was loved by everyone.
“He did well in school and wanted to be an engineer. He had recently undertaken some work experience at Rolls Royce that had spurred him on to embark on this career. He came home with tales of the new people he had met and the experience he had enjoyed.
“He also helped out his dad in his work, to start to learn some labouring skills. He was looking forward to finishing college and entering the world of work and was also really keen to start to learn to drive.
“Like many 16-year-old lads, Joseph enjoyed his music and his great loves were food and eating it! He also had a great circle of friends who are still in touch to share their memories with us.”
Jake Rollinson was handed a life sentence in March this year after being found guilty by a jury of Joseph’s murder. He was in the kitchen of his grandmother’s house in Hickings Lane, Stapleford, when he stabbed Joseph.
Rollinson, formerly of Hickings Lane, will spend at least the next 19 years behind bars. Lisa made a plea for people to hand in knives as part of 'Operation Sceptre', which aims decrease knife crime.
“Joseph was just in the wrong place at the wrong time that night. We’re a normal family and it just goes to prove how knife crime can affect anyone," Lisa said.
“There is never an excuse or reason to carry a knife or use one to cause harm to another person. Carrying a knife doesn’t protect you - it actually puts you at greater risk of harm - which is why I’d urge people to please hand in their knives and put them in the amnesty bins provided in police stations around Nottinghamshire this week.”
