Family of aspiring architect Bradley Quaresma slam 'unbelievable' sentence for Stratford Park killer

Victim: Bradley Quarsema, 20, who was killed in a park in Stratford
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The family of an aspiring architect who was stabbed to death in full view of children playing in a park have criticised the killer’s “unbelievable” jail term.

Bradley Quaresma, 20, was knifed during a mass fight in Stratford Park on a sunny afternoon last July.

His killer, Mario Albino Te, 21, was acquitted of murder but found guilty of manslaughter and jailed for 11 and a half years.

The victim’s father Nelson Quaresma travelled from the family’s home in Portugal to attend the three-week Old Bailey trial with Bradley’s siblings.

He told the Standard: “Mario Te killed my son Bradley with his knife and until this moment he has shown no remorse.

Killer: Mario Te

“Our family has waited all this time for justice but this was not the case. It is a disappointment for our family, our friends and all of British society.”

He said that after police assurances Monday’s sentence would be a deterrent against knife crime, the court should have imposed a longer term.

“Here was a 20-year-old man who had his whole life ahead of him — and this court decided to give just 11 years and six months’ jail to his killer,” he said.

“What happened took place in a public place with families and children enjoying the sunshine.

“This is unbelievable and sad. Is this truly going to reduce criminality?”

His son, a design student at Waltham Forest College, moved to London as a teenager and lived with his sister Juce as he worked to become an architect.

On July 21 he and Te, whom the court heard were known to each other, were among a large group of males gathered at the park when the fight broke out.

He was stabbed in the neck and chest and died at the scene. Te, of no fixed address, boarded a Eurostar to Paris the next day. He was detained by French police and returned to the UK, where he was arrested on suspicion of murder.

In a statement, Mr Quaresma’s family said: “Anyone that crossed Bradley’s path fell in love with his radiant smile and kind heart. His life is now past, his present non-existent and his future stolen, erased with a knife.

“He planned on getting into university and studying architecture. Now he will never have the opportunity to graduate, will never have the opportunity to succeed, will never have children of his own or grandchildren.”

Detective Chief Inspector Gary Holmes said: “This was a very sad case and my heartfelt sympathies go out to Bradley’s family, who have shown great dignity throughout the trial.

“When jailing Te, the judge spoke of the shock and horror that members of the public at the park, including young families and children, experienced as they saw Bradley and his injuries.

“He also said there was very strong public interest in passing a sentence that would act as a deterrent to knife crime and extreme violence.”

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