Vigil to be held for murdered teenager Tomasz Oleszak as 14 year old charged

Detectives investigating the death of a Gateshead teen have charged a teenager with his murder 

The 14-year-old boy, who cannot be identified for legal reasons, has been charged with murder as well as with attempted wounding and possession of a bladed article. He appeared at Newcastle Magistrates Court this morning. 

These charges come after Officers were alerted by the ambulance service on Monday, shortly after 8 pm, to a report of a teenager in Springwell Estate in Gateshead being seriously injured. Emergency services attended the scene and found the teenager, Tomasz, has suffered a stab wound. Despite the best efforts of the medical staff, he sadly passed away in the hospital the following morning. 

Within hours of launching the investigation, officers arrested two teenagers in relation to the incident. A 13-year-old girl was arrested on suspicion of assisting an offender and now has been bailed. 

Chief Superintendent Helena Barron, of Northumbria Police, said: “This is a tragic incident which has left a family utterly devastated. We have now charged a teenager with murder and there is still an ongoing investigation so we continue to appeal to the public for information.

“Anyone who witnessed the incident or has information, who has not yet come forward, is asked to pick up the phone and contact police or Crimestoppers”.

The family have also paid an emotional tribute to their son as he sadly leaves behind his mum Kamila, dad Patryk and little brother, aged six. His mum Kamila said: “Tomasz was an amazing son, a kind and caring role model to his little brother and a great friend to so many and as a family, we are devastated beyond words. 

“We will never stop loving him. The hole left in our lives can never be filled but even in our darkest days, the community has helped us see just a little bit of light”. 

Tomasz’s family have requested that people continue to give them the space they need and they continue to be supported by specialist officers from Northumbria Police, the Force strongly encourages everyone to respect their privacy as they grieve their loss. The investigation is still ongoing and officers remain in the Springwell Estate. 

The community is coming together and a vigil will be held for Tomasz at the Springwell Community Centre on Lanchester Avenue at 7.30 pm tonight.  

Anyone with information is asked to contact police via the ‘Tell Us Something’ page of our website or by calling 101 quoting log NP-20221003-0995. You can also contact independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously at 0800 555 111.