The family of knifed schoolboy Derek Boateng have spoken of their agony at not being able to bury their only son because of a row over how many times he was stabbed.

Comfort and David Boateng have been left waiting to lay their beloved 16-year-old son to rest for two weeks because lawyers are arguing over how many knife-wounds he had.

A second post-mortem has been requested as a result, it emerged – delaying the grief-stricken parents’ wait to lay Derek to rest.

The former pupil was fatally stabbed on his 16th birthday – Tuesday, April 23 – on board a single-decker 393 in Highbury New Park near to Highbury Grove School, where he had formerly been a pupil. He died in hospital the following day.

Mr Boateng, 58, speaking from the family home in Hackney, said the family don’t feel they can be “free” until Derek is laid to rest.

He said: “We are waiting while they are arguing over how many times Derek was stabbed. One is saying the stabbing was one time, the other is saying it was three times.

“It doesn’t seem right. We cannot move forward, look ahead, feel free until we have put him to rest.

“We hope that it is sorted soon so that we feel he can be at peace.”

At a recent court hearing in which a 15-year-old appeared charged with the murder of Derek, prosecutor David Davis told how the 16-year-old had died after receiving a fatal wound to the heart.

The accused, from Havering, will next appear at the Old Bailey on July 11.

Witnesses can call police on 020 8345 3734 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.