The charity set up by Owen Dunn’s family to campaign against knife crime has spoken out after learning the murdered teen himself owned a bladed weapon.

During last month’s trial of 18-year-old Tyler Hunt from Park South and a 15-year-old boy who must remain anonymous for legal reasons, the jury at Bristol Crown Court heard that paramedics who rushed to Owen’s aid after he was fatally stabbed on December 4, 2022, found a machete sheathed in his trousers.

The 18-year-old had been in the North Swindon area to visit his girlfriend and did not take out his weapon at any point during the confrontation with his assailants near Mazurek Way.

During their testimonies, both of the defendants who were later found guilty of Owen’s murder said they did not see their victim with a knife, though Hunt claimed that he “could see the outline of some sort of weapon on [Owen’s] right leg”.

After Owen’s death, his loved ones set up the Owen’s World charity to help reduce the amount of knife crime in the town and keep teenagers out of trouble by giving young people a safe space to socialise.

Zoe Mitchell said on Monday: “How can it be a whole year of living without you? It still seems like yesterday. Miss you my beautiful boy.”

The 18-year-old’s relatives did not know Owen owned a knife until more details of his last day were revealed.

A spokesperson for Owen’s World, Forever 18, said: “As you may be aware, Owen Dunn’s family has recently concluded the trial for his murder, resulting in a double guilty verdict.

“Shockingly, it has been revealed that Owen was carrying a knife.

“As an anti-knife charity, we were unaware of this and strongly disagree with carrying knives.

“We wish Owen had confided in us, as a family, so we could have supported him and deterred him from carrying the knife.

“Following the trial, we are more committed than ever to address these issues through Owen’s World and bring about positive change for our youth.

“We urge open communication between parents and kids.

“Owen’s World will return stronger than ever in the new year, dedicated to making a difference to our children’s future.”

Tyler Hunt and the 15-year-old boy convicted of Owen's murder after a unanimous decision by the jury have been remanded in custody to await sentencing.