A FORMER Archway School pupil was brutally attacked and killed in London at the weekend in what police are calling a homophobic hate-crime.

Jody Dobrowski, 24, was found unconscious on Clapham Common early on Saturday morning but died in hospital after suffering severe head, neck and facial injuries in a barbaric assault, which shocked police and made national headlines.

Jody's heartbroken mother, Sheri Dobrowski, told the SNJ on Monday: "Whoever did this must be brought to justice so it doesn't happen to anyone else.

"I'm sure Jody would like to see justice served but I don't think he would want revenge."

On Monday evening, family members laid flowers at the spot where Jody was attacked after leaving a friend's house near the common on Friday night.

"Going there was about cleansing the spot really, to help make it beautiful again," said Mrs Dobrowski, 47.

She described her son as caring, thoughtful and pragmatic by nature. "Jody was a very kind soul. He was rational, very logical, very calm and kind," she said.

"He had a strong sense of right and wrong and could never understand why people lost their tempers and shouted if they could discuss things rationally."

Just weeks before his death, Jody was promoted to entertainment and show manager at the Jongleurs comedy club in Camden.

He had recently moved into a new flat near Canary Wharf, and things were on the up.

Born in Stroud, Jody was a Five Valleys lad through and through. He attended Whiteshill Primary School before going on to Archway and then sixth form, where he achieved strong GCSE and A-level grades.

He was intelligent and popular at school and known for his caring nature. Rick Rutter, Archway deputy head, said: "He was clearly an able student who mixed very well with others - he would help anyone.

"People here who knew him have said what a really sad loss this is to society in general as he was a really pleasant and really nice guy."

Jody worked at the Ship Inn in Framilode, near Stroud between school and going to Cardiff University to study micro-biology.

He left university after two years to pursue a more vocational path, working for the Bar Risa/Jongleurs chain.

Kris Atkins, 24, a best friend from primary and secondary school, spoke of the enduring positive impression Jody left on people. "He was a people's man, always there for everyone," he said.

"He was a really caring guy - even people who only met him once or twice will remember him.

Kris was among a group of Jody's school friends who met up on Monday night to remember their former classmate.

"All his friends want to pass on their regards to his family. We are all thinking of them at this time," he said.

*Three teenagers - two 17-year-olds and a 13-year-old - were arrested on Monday in connection with the attack. They have been released on bail until November.

* If anyone would like to share their thoughts about Jody please email the SNJ at snjnews@stroudnewsandjournal.co.uk Comments will be posted on our website at www.thisistroud.com