The community in a Derbyshire town have banded together to support the family of a young man following a stabbing over the weekend. 18-year-old Noah Smedley was found in Heanor Road, Ilkeston, on Saturday (December 28) with injuries consistent with being stabbed and died at the scene just before 9pm.
Five 17-year-old boys have been arrested on suspicion of murder and remain in police custody. A 52-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of assisting an offender. A 16-year-old girl was arrested on suspicion of assisting an offender but has been released and no further action is being taken and another 16-year-old girl, arrested for the same offence, has been released on bail.
A fundraiser has now been organised by the mother of one of Noah’s close friends with the goal of giving Noah “the send-off he truly deserves”. Sheryl Brough said: “As everyone knows, he [Noah] had his young life snatched away from him at the young age of 18.
“He was the victim of a stabbing in Ilkeston. I’m just trying to raise as much money as possible and ease pressure from his family at this extremely sad, heartbreaking and difficult time. Come on people of Ilkeston, let’s come together when this family needs it the most.
“I know times are hard, but every penny counts no matter how small. Let’s give Noah the send-off he truly deserves”. In the days following his death, friends of Noah shared Derbyshire police’s appeals for information on the stabbing along with their own tributes to Noah.
One friend wrote on Facebook: “Fly high – gone way too soon. Loved and missed by everyone. My heart goes out to your family. RIP Noah Smedley.”
Another wrote: “Rest in peace Noah Smedley. Gone too soon, you’ll be missed by everyone, funniest person I knew.” Another friend added: “Noah Smedley RIP. Rest easy mate, will be missed.”
On Sunday (December 29), Detective Chief Inspector Claudia Musson, from the East Midlands Special Operation Unit, who is leading the investigation, said: “We are in the very early stages of the investigation and we are treating it as an isolated incident. We are keen for anyone with information to contact us as a matter of urgency to assist with the inquiry into the death of this young man.”
To view and donate to Noah’s fundraiser, click the link here.