Killer's 10 year sentence 'hard to take' (From The Argus)
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Killer's 10 year sentence 'hard to take'
8:30am Friday 4th January 2013 in News By Ben James
Killer's 10 year sentence 'hard to take'
A drug dealer who killed a man before celebrating and re-enacting the stabbing minutes later has been jailed for 10 years.
Adam White, 23, plunged a kitchen knife so hard into builder Jeff Burrows’ stomach that the blade damaged his backbone.
However, a jury in November found him not guilty of intending to kill and instead returned a verdict of manslaughter.
Mr Burrows’ grieving father, David, described the jail term as “hard to take, ” but added that his family “had to accept it”.
He said: “That’s the law of the land so we have to move on. What else can we do? It was devastating having to hear evidence of how our son and brother was killed and all the awful injuries. We just had to stay calm and be respectful.”
The three week trial at Lewes Crown Court heard that Mr Burrows had increasingly turned to drugs following the death of his wife – and White had been his dealer.
A disagreement between the two men about a stolen motorbike came to a head on April 29 when White went round to his Norfolk Square flat with a kitchen knife.
A struggle ensued and White stabbed Mr Burrows in the stomach.
The court heard the attack was so brutal that a cleaner downstairs mistook it for an earthquake.
White was caught on CCTV just minutes later in the nearby Caps Bar on Western Road re-enacting the stabbing and hugging and kissing a friend.
Representing White Mr Jefferies said his client had not intended to kill Mr Burrows and had shown genuine remorse.
Addressing the judge he pleaded for a lenient sentence. He said that at just 23 White needed “hope for the future”, adding that a long sentence would mean his young daughter would grow up without a dad.
He concluded by saying that White’s mother was ill and the matter was “not assisting her”.
Judge Richard Brown, said: “I accept that the jury, by its verdict, found that you didn’t intend to kill.
But the fact remains that you armed yourself with a knife before going to the flat and therefore were willing to use it – and indeed did.
“As a result of your actions a man has died and his family and friends have been left devastated.”
White, of Bedford Place, Liverpool, showed little emotion as he was sent to jail.
David Burrows told The Argus his family, who live in Northern Ireland, are struggling to come to terms with the death.
He said: “Christmas was tough. It was very quiet and we just let things take their course.
“Given the verdict of manslaughter I’m pleased that he got 10 years instead of four of five.
“It is reassuring that he will be locked up for a decade but it doesn’t help ease the suffering. Jeff was a good man and we will all miss him.”
Comments(17)
Crystal Ball
says...
10:29am Fri 4 Jan 13
Ballroom Blitz
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11:13am Fri 4 Jan 13
Disgraceful.
bluemonday
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11:50am Fri 4 Jan 13
Cyril Bolleaux
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12:26pm Fri 4 Jan 13
cookie_brighton
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12:34pm Fri 4 Jan 13
hite ARMED himself with a knife, he WENT to jeffs home and he STABBED jeff, the INTENT TO MURDER is there..........does he supply drugs to these jury members.
uniteagainstparkingcharges
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12:40pm Fri 4 Jan 13
However, I find it truly shocking that someone who went out with a knife with the intention of causing serious harm and possibly murder can get away with such a short sentence.
Having followed the case, the idea that he showed remorse is laughable as he is shown in the pub immediately after the event, drinking, laughing and re-enacting the stabbing.
People committing these sorts of crimes should serve 25 years minimum.
getThisCoalitionOut
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12:46pm Fri 4 Jan 13
The length of this jail sentence is an insult.
bikerjimbo
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12:47pm Fri 4 Jan 13
jools99
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2:25pm Fri 4 Jan 13
If he had been concerned about his daughter growing up without her father, he should have thought about the implications of his actions, but I suppose he reckoned he would get away with it. Reckon his daughter is better off without him.
thevoiceoftruth
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4:48pm Fri 4 Jan 13
D360
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6:12pm Fri 4 Jan 13
matlock
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11:19pm Fri 4 Jan 13
He may have gone out with a knife, but that doesn't necessarily mean he intended to kill anyone with it. He may have taken the knife with the intention of threatening, injuring the victim, defending himself?
The fact that he did kill someone as a result of the struggle still doesn't demonstrate intent, an essential component of murder.
However, he did kill someone so the manslaughter verdict seems appropriate.
The defence has to do whatever they can to mitigate the sentence - futile in this case because the judge handed down a hefty 10 year sentence.
Freeloaders
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9:07am Sat 5 Jan 13
Cyril Bolleaux wrote:This post is so true my friend.Like you say that is the third murder involving Liverpool drug gangs members.There has been talk of them in many more cases over the last few years.Even the Steff Walsh case.Its well overtime the Argus asked the police about their relationship with these guys.Because thats what it is a relationship.Even late on Christmas day coming home from family i drove along western road in Hove and saw a young lady i know standing at Nat-west seller herself.I drove around the side streets just a few mins & could see the dealers waiting for the poor girl to make some money out her body.In fact the girl even text me to say me being in the area was putting the punters off.The Argus has even asked me to talk with them about this young lady.But like many i fear violence from the Liverpool drugs gangs,as its clear to all the relationship the police have with them.
This is the third murder trial in about three months involving Liverpool drug gang members. What is being done about these gangs? I think the Argus should ask the police about this. I know there are lots of drug gangs but Liverpool gangs appear to attract violence.
Freeloaders
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9:09am Sat 5 Jan 13
Freeloaders
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9:15am Sat 5 Jan 13
cookie_brighton wrote:Does he supply drugs to these jury members lol.As silly as this may sound my friend you have hit it right on the head.You just got the wrong people these guys keep happy.
How can a jury return a verdict of not intending to kill and returned a verdict of manslaughter.......W
hite ARMED himself with a knife, he WENT to jeffs home and he STABBED jeff, the INTENT TO MURDER is there..........does he supply drugs to these jury members.
Freeloaders
says...
9:26am Sat 5 Jan 13
Ballroom Blitz wrote:Yet again this post is spot on.If only you people new about the sentence this same judge gave me in 94 for something i know i never did.Everyday in Parkhurst & Wandsworth prison also.Not good old Ford open hotel.There were so many people payed off at the time the Argus was not even in the court.Also there was know report about it in the paper at the time.But i got 7 years,but the said victim had not one injury.
He won't be in prison for 10 years though. He'll be out in about six.
Disgraceful.
Bushell says...
10:02am Fri 4 Jan 13