I've got to agree with the first poster, it's a tragedy it happened but why get race and religion involved? If we're going to live in this nation plagued by political correctness at least make it go both ways. Particularly when a large part of violent crime in London is Muslim attacking non-muslim.

Alex, Liverpool, United Kingdom

I bet you would never print a story under the title' White teenager murdered by Muslim thug'.

ian, Windsor, Britain

My condolences to the family.
I've no time for people like Brook and personally feel that the death penalty would be appropriate. Likewise for the killer of Keith Brown, also knifed to death, though remarkably the charge was manslaughter in his case. And why the racist headline, TimesOnline?

Sue, Leicestershire,

Articles like this one (which unnecessarily refer to race and religion when it was clear that these were irrelevant to the crime) fuel racism. Shame on you Andrew Norfolk.

M. Chat, London,

White thug and Muslims. This is just basic communication theory called the "shock effect".

That aside, it shows that knife crime is something to be addressed and sadly a bright student who potentially could have given positive future value to Britain was killed in a cowardly and savage attack.

gareh, munich,

Once again our youth 'justice' system failed: both the victim & perpetrator. The courts must stop treating male teenagers who carry weapons as 'naughty lads.' They don't deserve warnings or 2nd 3rd, 4th chances - they need corrective action & if that means lengthy spells in detention so be it.

Donna Walker, Effingham, England

It is so sad when a person dies because of anothers 'Mindless Act' yet the law is wholly inadequate when it comes to dishing out justice. 14 years will become 10 at the most, and this scum is released into the community at risk to us all. I really think it is about time we brought back hanging.

Mike L, Manchester, UK

Its a terrible murder I must say.

But so was the killing of Keith Brown in Stoke but because the killer was a Muslim and his victim was white he got let off with a manslaughter verdict.

When will the press start talking of racist attacts on whites?

P Warrior, Birmingham, England

Ive said it b4 .......... if found with a knife minimum of 5 months jail ...... knife culture should not be tolerated .... and my heart felt sympathy to his family and friends

Richi , Heathrow, middx

A "minimum of 14 years"? You've got to be kidding. And then what? He comes back out, does a 46th and goes back in again? I wld say it is time to admit that the penal system has failed, especially when it comes to seasoned offenders who feel no loss in imprisonment, as compared to the loss of victim.

Darren, Sheffield, United Kingdom

A human being was unnecessarily killed. This is a real
tragedy. My heartfelt condolences for the family, specially the mother.

syed ahmed, Dallas, TX-USA

Why do the headline and opening paragraph both include the words "Muslim" and "white" when "the stabbing was not racially motivated"?

T, London,

Michael Brook should spend the rest of his natural life in solitary confinement.

John, Nova Scotia, Canada

Very sad ........

andy, oxford,

Why was he a 'white thug' and not a just a 'thug' - I can't see what the boys religion and the murderers race have anything to do with the crime.

jj, London,

Why is the religion of this boy important?

Faraz Hussain, Delhi, India

Is the fact he's Muslim, relevant in any way?

Arthur, Newcastle,

Why mention his religion? there's no reason.

Kesh, Cambridge,

Why did you say "Muslim" school boy?

It would seem to me a school boy was killed and his religion didn't enter into him being murdered by a drunken lout.

I am saddend a youth has died and I will say for your paper...A young man died....His religion or skin colour means nothing. He was British.

Frank Madigan, Capreol, Canada

44 previous court appearances. What a pathetic nation this is.

Angela, Islington,

Hassan represented the best of both worlds, a proud Muslim and a proud Brit. Very rare these days, and a massive tragedy. The pondlife who snuffed out his promising life will be free in a few years. Hassan's family will never be free.

My thoughts are entirely with them. A tragedy...

sean, london, uk