Просмотр новости
Найдите то, что Вас интересует
Спутники
РН
SpaceX
Роскосмос
NASA
СпутникиРНSpaceXРоскосмосNASAVernard Murray, 26, was stabbed twice in Cheetham Hill, Manchester, moments after a dramatic car crash, as three teenagers are sentenced at Manchester Crown Court
Amy Walker Court reporter and Emma O'Neill Content Editor
20:16, 17 Jul 2026
A teenage murderer has been sentenced to life imprisonment, with two others also jailed for manslaughter, following the fatal stabbing of a young father in a 'revenge' attack on a street.
Vernard Murray, 26, lost his life after being stabbed twice in Cheetham Hill on 23 October last year, mere moments after a dramatic car collision.
In the immediate aftermath, one of the teenagers was filmed making a 'stabbing gesture' before summoning an Uber. A BMW involved in the killing was subsequently set alight after another teenager was overheard during a phone call saying: "Yo, can you do that mission for me? Burn it. The car."
Lee Williams, 19, (11/08/2006); John Harte, 19, (08/01/2007); and Riley McDermott, 18, (16/03/2008); all denied murder. Following a four-week trial at Manchester Crown Court, jurors unanimously found Williams guilty of murder, while Harte and McDermott were convicted of manslaughter, reports the Manchester Evening News.
At a sentencing hearing on Friday (17 July), Williams was handed a life sentence with a minimum term of 21 years and 74 days. McDermott received eight years' detention in a young offenders institution, while Harte was given six years.
Sentencing them, Mr Justice Andrew Baker stated: "This was a group attack, with planning and premeditation. You were all motivated by revenge."
The court was told that at approximately 2.20pm on 23 October last year, a vehicle was heard being driven at considerable speed before a loud bang was heard on Hambridge Close, Cheetham Hill. In CCTV footage presented to the court, Williams and McDermott were observed leaping from a hired silver BMW which had pursued a silver Ford Focus moments beforehand.
As the BMW obstructed the path of the Focus, driven by Mr Murray, both defendants (wearing black clothing, balaclavas and each carrying a knife) were witnessed running to opposite sides of the vehicle.
Mr Murray 'managed to drive' his car away from Hambridge Close, but the two teenagers returned to the BMW, which then raced after him into Manswood Drive.
"There was a further collision and a dramatic one, causing the Ford Focus to flip over onto its roof," said prosecutor David Temkin KC.
The court was told Mr Murray was stabbed initially to the upper chest by Williams while still trapped inside the overturned vehicle before he fled, pursued by both Williams and McDermott.
He was chased to an alleyway where he sustained a second stab wound to the buttocks. The court was informed later during the trial that Williams was responsible for a second knife wound.
After succeeding in climbing over a fence, Mr Murray collapsed on a patio at the rear of a property on Cardinal Street, where he had knocked on the windows seeking help. He was transported to hospital where he underwent emergency surgery, but tragically was pronounced dead.
Both Williams and McDermott had departed the scene, returning to the BMW where Harte was reported to be front passenger. The vehicle was being driven by a fourth male who has never been identified.
The BMW was abandoned on Modbury Walk before the trio fled together. The fourth individual had departed from the group earlier and evaded capture.
McDermott subsequently requested an Uber, after they were recorded on CCTV seemingly discussing what had occurred.
"Footage shows a clear gesture of celebration and congratulation between McDermott and Williams, who performed a fist bump," said Mr Temkin. "Seven seconds later, Williams demonstrated his stabbing movement. It is likely he was re-enacting one of the fatal stabbings."
They returned to Williams' residence where Harte was filmed on Ring doorbell footage making a telephone call, telling an unidentified person: "Yo, can you do that mission for me? Burn it. The car."
"This was Harte giving the green light," the prosecutor stated. The BMW was set ablaze less than two hours afterwards, the court was told.
Both Williams and McDermott then replaced their clothing, with Williams acknowledging he had placed his in the washing machine.
When he was detained the next day, he 'lied to officers', stating he had 'been in his gaff all day'.
In a victim personal statement presented to the court, Mr Murray's father Patrick Murray said: "He wasn't just my child, he was my pride, my hope for the future and a huge part of who I am.
"He had his whole life ahead of him. He had hopes and dreams and people who loved him.
"I am left wondering how people can be so callous to attack another person with a knife. I wonder what he was thinking when he ran as fast as he could after already being stabbed. How much pain did he endure? The silence he has left behind is unbearable.
"I just think of what he has missed and the life he should have had. To the people responsible - your actions didn't just take one life. They have destroyed mine."
Mr Murray's mother, Nicola Costello, said: "Those responsible are given numbers to serve sentences, while I am left with a cemetery plot to visit and a lifetime of grief. I find myself asking where the justice is in this. In many ways, it feels as though I am serving a sentence alongside them, carrying the pain and consequences of their actions every day."
His partner, Tynne Connolly, said: "Although the court will sentence those responsible today, my son and I will continue serving our own life sentence of grief.
"We will wake up every day knowing that Vernard is never coming home. Our son will grow up with memories instead of a father, and I will spend the rest of my life trying to fill a space that can never be filled."
Representing Williams, John Harrison KC acknowledged he did not contest that the degree of force employed was 'severe'. "There was a plan to inflict harm, it seems that Lee Williams went beyond that," he said.
Richard Littler KC, representing McDermott, stated: "It's quite clear Riley McDermott is maturing and understands the impact of his actions. It's quite clear he demonstrates true remorse. He accepts full responsibility for his actions, he will forever regret what happened."
Meanwhile, Stephen Moses KC, appearing for Harte, argued there was an 'intent to scare and chase, but not to hurt anyone'. "He does not leave the car, and he is not armed with a knife. He is a young man of hitherto good character," he told the court.
Mr Justice Baker remarked: "Vernard Murray was not a saint. The jury heard about his criminal record. The evidence indicates he was dealing drugs on October 23, shortly before the BMW moved in for the attack. We should not pretend that side of him did not exist.
"But that does not provide a beginning of any kind of excuse for what happened. It does not reduce the devastation his loss has brought to those who cared and loved him.
"The story you gave to the jury was you intended to scare Vernard Murray away - it's obvious nonsense."
Following the hearing, Detective Chief Inspector Andy Naismith from GMP's Major Incident Team commented: "Today's sentencing reflects the devastating consequences of a shocking attack that claimed the life of Vernard Murray.
"This was a truly shocking case, occurring in a residential area, with fatal consequences. The violence inflicted upon him was horrific, and those actions have left a family grieving their loved one forever.
"No sentence can undo the loss they have experienced, but we hope today's outcome can provide them with some measure of justice and closure.
"I would also like to thank the officers and staff whose dedication and professionalism helped us identify the offenders and piece together significant amounts of evidence to secure these convictions.
"Violence of this nature has no place in our communities. This case demonstrates our unwavering commitment to pursuing those responsible for serious violent crimes and bringing them before the courts."
| # | Наименование новости | Тональность | Информативность | Дата публикации |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Свердловский суд приговорил убийцу и насильника к пожизненному заключению | 0 | 0 | 18-09-2019 |
| 2 | На Урале подростка приговорили к 9,5 года колонии за двойное убийство | 0 | 0 | 14-07-2025 |
| 3 | Жителя Приморья приговорили к пожизненному заключению за убийство трех человек | 0 | 0 | 20-01-2020 |
| 4 | Суд приговорил к пожизненному лишению свободы убийцу двух девушек в Екатеринбурге | 0 | 0 | 29-09-2020 |
| 5 | Man found guilty of attempting to murder three children in Dublin city centre attack | -5 | 7 | 01-07-2026 |
| 6 | Teen killer painted smile on his face with blood before attacking Leeds prison officers | -5 | 6 | 09-07-2026 |
| 7 | В Челябинске вынесли приговор подросткам, которые до смерти избили мужчину | -5 | 5 | 26-06-2026 |
| 8 | Житель Югры получил 20 лет колонии за убийство дочери | 0 | 0 | 15-10-2020 |
| 9 | Wichita man sentenced to life for Halloween 2024 murder of 13-year-old | 0 | 5 | 10-07-2026 |