'Just stop and think' - Bradley Tams’ loved ones beg people to stop carrying knives
The 23-year-old died after he was allegedly stabbed in the Slatyford area of Newcastle
Heartbroken loved ones of alleged murder victim Bradley Tams have begged people to stop carrying knives.
Bradley died after he was allegedly stabbed in the Slatyford area of Newcastle three weeks before Christmas. Two are due to stand trial later this year accused of murdering the 23-year-old.
Bradley's death has left his close knit family devastated. But today his brave loved ones have put their grief aside to issue an emotional knife crime message.
- Read more: Mum of alleged murder victim Bradley Tams relives devastating moment she was told he had died
Bradley's sister Elliemae Weatherson, has begged anyone considering carrying a blade to think about families like hers. While his mum, Julie Weatherson, said there was simply no excuse for leaving the house with a knife.
Ellimae, 20, said: "Just stop and think before you go ahead with the actions. What happened to Bradley just goes to show what a split second can do. In a split second you can take someone's loved one's life away. We are never going to get over this. It just shows how quick someone's life can be over by that knife.
"They need to take into consideration and look at the families that are having to go through it."
And Julie, 42, said: "People need to start to listen. People who take them out know exactly what they are doing. You are taking that knife out knowing you will use it.
Elliemae added : "You are not just taking it to carry in your pocket."
Julie and Elliemae are backing the Chronicle's Stop Knives Taking Lives campaign, which we launched in February following a string of knife tragedies on the streets of the North East.
We are calling on communities across the North East to come together to tackle this deadly epidemic while telling the heart-breaking stories of those whose lives have been devastated by violence.
Bradley was the oldest of seven siblings and a proud dad to his five-year-old twin boys. Julie and Elliemae told the Chronicle how they were still struggling to accept that he was gone.
Julie said: "I don't think it will ever get any easier. I really don't. He just loved life, loved partying, loved caravans and going on holiday. He didn't act his age, he was still a Mummy's boy.
And Elliemae said: "I still expect him to ring us and have a laugh and joke. I don't think it will ever be the same again. The worst thing about it is that someone has taken him. How could anybody do that to somebody. He was only 23. Nothing is worth that, no-one ever deserves anything like that."
Gavin Train, 24, of Rothay Place, Blakelaw, Newcastle, and Andrea Train, 49, also of Rothay Place, have appeared before Newcastle Crown Court accused of killing Bradley.
They both pleaded not guilty to murder and Andrea Train also denied assisting an offender – Gavin Train – by allegedly driving him from the scene of an offence with intent to impede his apprehension or prosecution.
The pair were remanded in custody until June when they will stand trial.