By Hayley Robinson

A tree-planting ceremony was held on Monday to mark what would have been the 21st birthday of Michael Chapman.

The schoolboy, who lived in Bobbing, was walking home across Gore Court playing field on June 16, 2006, when he was attacked by former friend Lee Cowie. The 16-year-old died in the arms of his older brother David.

In honour of Michael, the Mayor and Mayoress of Swale Cllr Steve Worrall and Therese Davies planted an oak tree close to the spot where Michael was assaulted. His parents Sue and Lloyd and his brother David were at the ceremony. A memorial bench which was installed in 2007 is nearby.

Mrs Chapman said: "We held it together but it’s always going to be painful for us, nothing goes away. It still seems like it only just happened. We cannot forget, it’s still so raw.

"A lot of people say as time goes by it gets better but it doesn’t."

Cowie, who was 19 at the time of the attack, served two years of a four-year sentence in a young offenders’ institution after he admitted manslaughter. He was released in June 2008.

Following Michael’s death Mr and Mrs Chapman launched the campaign Protect Our Children Against Violence which campaigns for tougher prison sentences and for offenders to serve their full terms.

Mrs Chapman added: "It’s about getting justice for families.

"At the end of the day nobody can do anything for us or bring Michael back but we can do lots for everyone else."