A Bellingham man has painted a powerful anti-knife crime mural on the same street where a teenager was murdered last month.

Nathan Bowen, 32, drew one of his demon characters with the words 'Put Down Knives Pick Up A Paint Brush' on a blank wall in Randlesdown Road.

Jay Hughes, 15, was killed there on November 1 after a single stab wound to the heart.

Artist Nathan, who has always lived in Bellingham, told News Shopper: "I wanted to do a piece like this for years. The stabbing was so close to home.

"I walk by that white wall every day and I thought it was the perfect spot to spread the message."

Nathan has been doing street art for 10 years and his aim is to transform rundown walls and bring them to life.

 

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He explained the message behind his Bellingham painting.

"My characters are all friendly demons. They represent a street person, someone with a hood up who might look threatening.

"I’m telling them to put the knife down and pick up a paint brush. My take is for them to get out of the situation and be creative instead of negative."

The Bellingham community remains "slightly on edge" after the murder, according to Nathan who said lots of parents are concerned for their children's safety.

You can follow more of Nathan’s work through his Instagram page @nathanbowenart