Teenage Worthing killer jailed for life (From The Argus)

Teenage Worthing killer jailed for life

7:00am Thursday 9th July 2009 in

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The family of a man stabbed to death in a drunken fight spoke out after his killer was jailed for life and said: “Justice has been done”.

Kai Orgles plunged a kitchen knife into Syden Pearson's chest and back five times.

Mr Pearson, 26, collapsed into the arms of a friend and died before paramedics arrived.

Orgles, 19, claimed he did not realise the knife was in his hand as he tried to defend a friend during the confrontation in Shelby Road, Durrington, Worthing, on January 30.

But a jury at Lewes Crown Court unanimously found Orgles guilty of murder yesterday(Weds) after an eight day trial.

After the verdict Mr Pearson’s family said in a statement: “All we asked for is justice and that has been done.”

Judge Richard Brown told Orgles: “The jury found you guilty on just about the clearest evidence of murder I have ever seen in my court.

“Your attempts to claim that you didn't know you had a knife in your hand indicates a lack of remorse and a pathetic attempt to pull the wool over the jury's eyes.

“This case yet again highlights the horrific consequences when young people like you walk the streets armed with knives.”

Orgles, of Moore Close, Durrington, will serve at least 15 years before he can be considered for release from prison.

Mr Pearson's family welcomed the verdict and said: “Syden's killer is now facing a minimum of 15 years in jail. This is not revenge, it is justice.

“The senseless killing of a young man is not just a crime against him and his family but against the whole of society.

“Despite having so much personal tragedy in his life Syden believed life was for living and always had a smile on his face.

“He was always willing to help a friend and share the little he had.

“Those who carry knives and are prepared to use them need to know that to do so will result in a long prison sentence.”

In a victim impact statement read to the court his sister Crystal, 18, said his death followed that of their parents and an aunt.

She added: “The death of my brother has really affected me. I was really close to Syden, he was the one constant I had throughout my life.

“I have attended the trial every day. I felt I had to be there for my brother.

“I wanted others to see that he was important to me. I was proud of my brother and I will miss him so much.”

Mr Pearson died after he and Orgles had been out drinking with separate groups of friends.

Both groups met at the Tesco store in Durrington and went back to a house in Shelby Road where Orgles and his two friends were asked to leave.

After leaving the house Orgles ran back towards Mr Pearson who he believed had attacked a 16-year-old youth.

Orgles told the jury he had a knife with him after being attacked by two strangers a month earlier but had not intended to use it on Mr Pearson.

Chief Inspector Howard Hodges said: “Although justice has been done it does not detract from the fact that two families have been deeply affected by this incident.

“Once again it brings the issue of knives, alcohol and public place violent crime to the fore.

“Orgles claimed he had the knife on him for self defence but that night he used it to take the life of someone else.

“There was no motive and no thoughts of the consequences of his actions.”

Mr Pearson’s death is the latest in a series of knife murders.

Michael Morgan, 15, was killed while sleeping during a party at a caravan park in Brighton Road, Lancing, on July 1, 2007.

He suffered 30 separate injuries to his head when Kieran Wright, then 17, attacked him with two kitchen knives and a table leg.

Wright was sentenced to life in prison in December 2007. He must serve a minimum of 12 years before he is considered for parole.

Later that month Dave Stunell, 22, was left dying in his mother's arms in Montpelier Crescent, Brighton, after being stabbed with a kitchen knife by Aaron Aymer.

18-year-old Aymer was later jailed for life for a minimum of 16 years for the murder.

Last year The Argus reported that knife crimes were being recorded in the city at a rate of more than four a week.