'This country stands apart from other countries as a country of civility, fair play and safety. We are rapidly losing that. We've become a country of anger, of selfishness and of fear . .' STOP IT; JIMMY MIZEN'S DAD'S PLEA AS SON'S KILLER GETS LIFE..

Byline: BY VICTORIA WARD and LAURIE HANNA

THE dad of murdered teenager Jimmy Mizen demanded an end to "angry Britain" yesterday as his son's killer was jailed for life.

In a rallying cry to decent people, Barry Mizen said the country was rapidly losing its civility and called a return to values based on manners and kindness.

His moving plea came after vile thug Jake Fahri, 19, was found guilty of killing gentle giant Jimmy, 16, in a savage attack with a glass bakery dish.

His voice cracking with emotion, Mr Mizen, 57, said: "This country stands apart from other countries. This is a country of civility and a country of fair play, of fairness, a country of safety.

"We're rapidly losing that and becoming a country of anger, of selfishness and of fear and it doesn't have to be like this. Let's together try and stop it."

He held hands tightly with wife Margaret in court as bully Fahri was convicted of murder and told he must serve a minimum of 14 years in prison.

Describing 6ft 2in former altar boy Jimmy as "every mother's perfect son", Mrs Mizen, 56, sobbed: "He was the loveliest, gentlest giant. He was loved by everyone, by the school, the church and his family. I never told him off apart from saying, 'put your socks in the washing basket'. He really was a beautiful son."

Showing extraordinary dignity, she vowed not to be overcome with anger over Jimmy's death.

Referring to Fahri, she said: "I feel for the parents of this boy.

"That's their child, they held that boy in their own arms as a baby. They must be in pain. It's so painful their own child has been so cruel and so wicked."

She added: "What's happened to Jimmy is the worst thing possible, but we've got such wonderful memories. They haven't got wonderful memories for their son. All they can think about is the evil he's done. My prayers are with the family.

"People keep saying to me 'why aren't you angry?'.

"There is so much anger in the world. It was anger that killed my son.

"If I am angry, then I am going to be doing exactly the same as this young chap. Anger breeds anger, and bitterness will destroy my family if I'm not careful - and I won't allow that to happen."

Violent yob Fahri lived around the corner from the Mizens and was a known local bully with a string of convictions including burglary and assault.

On the day of the attack in May last year, he went berserk when Jimmy refused to get out of his way in a bakery queue.

As a row erupted, and fearful he would lose face, he flung a glass dish at the younger lad.

It shattered on impact and a shard sliced into the major vein and artery in Jimmy's neck causing blood to spurt out across the shop.

GCSE student Jimmy, who had celebrated his birthday the previous day, collapsed into the arms of his brother Harry, 18, as staff fled outside screaming in terror. Fahri, meanwhile, left the shop in triumph with a swagger and a grin.

Mum Margaret fainted when she arrived at the scene of Jimmy's death at the Three Cooks bakery near the family home in Lee, South East London.

Crispin Aylett QC, prosecuting, said: "A trivial incident, brought about by the defendant's rudeness, escalated into something horrific. The defendant reached for any and every available weapon with which to attack the brothers. The whole incident lasted no more than three minutes - three minutes of absolute madness on the part of this defendant."

The jury at the old Old Bailey rejected Fahri's claims of self defence and found him guilty after eight hours of deliberations.

Relatives of the Mizens shouted "yes" and clapped, before weeping and comforting each other.

Mr Justice Calvert-Smith told Fahri he had been given two clear opportunities to walk away from the row but went back inside to cause serious harm to Jimmy, who had "disrespected" him.

He said: "You carried out your intention so successfully that you killed him, depriving a loving family of a son and brother."

The Mizens won warm praise from the judge and from police for the dignity and courage shown during their 10-month ordeal.

Fahri showed no emotion as he was sentenced, but called out "I will be all right, mum" as he was led to the cells.

Jimmy came from a close-knit Catholic family and had eight brothers and sisters.

The rugby lover had been due to begin an apprenticeship at the council's housing department after his GCSEs.

Margaret Mizen said: "Since losing Jimmy we have been told he would always give up his seat to elders. We have also been told he regularly helped a disabled woman with her shopping."

The court heard Jimmy also used to give chips to a local homeless man, who left his bed at the site of his grave as a tribute.

Brother Danny, 31, said: "He was such an amazing bloke, such an amazing character, with such a zest for life. There was not one single bad bone in his body."

Mr Mizen said Jimmy was non-judgmental and got along with everyone.

He said: "He enjoyed life. His loss is immense, not only to us but to his friends and family.

"On the night of his birthday he was going out with friends and we cuddled him. That is just a great, great memory. We are so proud to have been his parents. Jimmy was the shining star in our family and will always be remembered with a smile."

He revealed that since the murder their youngest son George, nine, had been unable to sleep in his own bedroom. Another daughter Samantha, 21, who has Down's syndrome, would always says "come back" when any member of the family goes out.

Det Chief Inspector Cliff Lyons, who led the investigation, said he had "utmost admiration" for the Mizens' dignity and described the incident as deeply sad.

He said: "Jimmy Mizen is an individual, we all aspire to have a son like him. Jake Fahri is something totally different, a yob from that part of society that we all abhor.

"He was extremely violent and the jury returned a just verdict."

CAPTION(S):

GENTLE GIANT Jimmy was a greatly loved son and brother; DIGNITY Dad Barry, mother Margaret and son George yesterday; BRUTE Fahri was sent to jail for 14 years; BAKERY WEAPON Glass serving bowl thrown at Jimmy which shattered and cut artery