London Teenager Faces Murder Charge Over Leicester Student Stabbing
An 18-year-old man from London has been formally charged with the murder of De Montfort University student Khaleed Oladipo, who was fatally stabbed in Leicester city centre this week.
Charges and Court Appearance
Harper Dennis, of North Road in West Drayton, London, has been charged by Leicestershire Police with both murder and possession of an offensive weapon in a public place. The charges follow the tragic death of 20-year-old Khaleed Oladipo, who was stabbed in the chest on Oxford Street on Tuesday evening.
Dennis is scheduled to appear before Leicester Magistrates Court on Saturday. In addition to the primary charges, police have confirmed he faces two further counts of possession of an offensive weapon in a private place, though these are described as unrelated to the ongoing murder investigation.
Victim Remembered as Passionate Student and Football Fan
Khaleed Oladipo was a second-year cybersecurity student at De Montfort University who had been living in Leicester. His devastated family have released a heartfelt statement describing him as an "extremely loved son, brother, uncle, boyfriend and friend" with a lifelong passion for football.
The family's statement revealed poignant details about his final hours:
- He had played football since the age of four and was a dedicated Arsenal supporter
- He was believed to be on his way home to watch a football match when the attack occurred
- His family expressed immense pride in his university achievements
The statement continued: "We cannot begin to put into words how sad we are to have lost Khaleed. He was a good boy who loved his family. We want to thank the members of the public who stopped to try and help Khaleed and the ambulance service and hospital staff who did all they could to try and save him."
Community Impact and Investigation
This violent incident has sent shockwaves through both the university community and the wider Leicester area. The fatal stabbing occurred in a central location on Oxford Street, raising concerns about public safety in the city centre.
Leicestershire Police continue their investigation into the circumstances surrounding the attack, while the university community mourns the loss of a promising cybersecurity student. The case highlights ongoing concerns about knife crime affecting young people across the UK, particularly students in university cities.
As the legal process begins with Saturday's court appearance, the victim's family, friends, and fellow students are left grappling with this sudden and tragic loss of a young man described as having a bright future ahead of him.
