A school has paid tribute to one of its pupils who died last week.

Risaan Udayakumar, 18, from Wembley, was fatally stabbed at a house in Watford, on July 10.

Risaan was a pupil at Queen Elizabeth’s School in Queens Rd, Barnet, from 2010 to 2017 and just finished his first year at university.

Headmaster Neil Enright said: “We are all deeply saddened by Risaan’s passing.

“He was a delightful young man with so much to look forward to, having just completed his first year studying civil engineering at university.

“He will be fondly remembered by myself and colleagues as a determined and committed student, who contributed broadly to the life of the School.

“His family remain in our thoughts at this most difficult of times.”

His devastated family also spoke out about their son calling him a “gentle and academically talented boy.”

In a statement, they said: “As a family we would like to thank all the police and medical staff who tried to help our son, along with the member of the public who was first on the scene.

“Risaan was a gentle, academically talented, former QE Barnet Grammar School student who had just finished his first year studying Civil Engineering at The University of Surrey. He wanted to help build things for this country and his dream was to build a Formula 1 track.

“Our family is devastated and will never be the same again. Risaan leaves a gap that cannot be filled and we do not understand why this has happened to such a bright and caring young man.

“Risaan was very family orientated and did not believe in violence and we ask other parents to teach their children the ‘worth of life’ so that no other family has to go through the pain that we are currently suffering.”

A 16-year-old boy has been charged with murder in connection with the incident. He appeared at St Albans Crown Court via video link on July 16.

He was remanded to appear for a pre-trial preperation hearing on September 20 this year.