Parents lose their only son, killed for not looking other way

The parents and friends of 19-year-old Tom Grant, who was stabbed on a train over the Bank Holiday weekend, have been coming forward to sing his praises. The student, an only child who was travelling home to see his parents for the holidays, was stabbed to death after stepping in to help a fellow passenger. When a domestic argument flared up he tried to act as peacemaker - a decision that cost him his life.

'He was no have-a-go-hero but had been taught - as any decent law-abiding citizen is - to step in and help those in trouble,' said Tom's housemate Charles. 'It makes you wonder if he shouldn't have just turned away and minded his own business like everyone else on the train. But that was what made Tom the person he was - an ordinary lad with a basic sense of right and wrong who would do the same thing again.'

Tom's former headmaster said of his pupil; ' I suppose it is somewhat of a cliche to say that the good always die young, but in Tom's case this couldn't be more true. Although he comes from a background of military service and wanted to join the Army himself, he wasn't 'gung-ho' in any sense of the word. Neither, however, was he a young man who would stand aside if he saw an injustice. If someone needed help, he would have been the first to step in. He had a great community spirit.'

• Toddler Threatened With Knife
  
• This Week's News