Students who were taught by the teacher killed at a Waterloo bus stop last weekend have posted heartfelt tributes to him on social media.
Originally from Athens Menelaos Aligizakis, known fondly as ‘Mel’ to his students, taught at Wimbledon College and Ursuline School in Wimbledon.
The 43-year-old was killed while waiting for a night bus, opposite Waterloo Underground station, in the early hours of Saturday morning and was due to return home after the Christmas break in early January.
Former student Naj M Sherif paid tribute to him online on a Facebook group that now has more than 1200 ‘likes’.
She posted: “You taught me so much and always encouraged me to do better even when felt like giving up!
“You were such a good teacher, you didn’t just teach with knowledge but taught with your heart you believed in us students and advised us like young adults.
“You’re truly an amazing individual and may you receive the justice you deserve. REST IN PEACE MEL!!!!!”
Mr Aligizakis was pronounced dead at the scene in the early hours of January 3, with a post-mortem examination giving cause of death as blunt force trauma to the head.
Mark Dwayne Patten, 29, is due to appear before magistrates at the Old Bailey today on suspicion of murder.
