Latest news in Yorkshire: October 12, 2018 09:45:38 AM
A teenager who stabbed a young boy in the Lowedges area of Sheffield has
been jailed for manslaughter.
The 15-year-old boy, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was due to
stand trial for the murder of Samuel Baker at the beginning of the month
but entered a guilty plea to manslaughter at Sheffield Crown Court on
Wednesday 3 October.
He has been remanded in custody ahead of being jailed today for two
years and eight months.
Samuel Baker, 15, was found lying on some grass near to Lowedges Road on
the evening of Thursday 24 May, bleeding heavily from his chest. Despite
efforts from members of the public at the scene trying to help him, and
the ambulance service who took him to hospital, he sadly died just one
hour later as a result of his injuries.
A murder investigation was launched and extensive enquiries began to
recover evidence, as Detective Chief Inspector Dave Stopford, the Senior
Investigating Officer, explains: “Within less than 24 hours the
defendant had handed himself into police, telling officers he had been
involved in a fight with Baker and had hit him with a knife he said
Baker had been carrying.
“He was arrested on suspicion of murder and has been remanded into
custody ever since.
“Mr Baker had been riding his bike through the area when it is thought
he bumped into the defendant and they got into a fight, resulting in Mr
Baker being stabbed twice, once in his chest and once to his side.
“While several knives were recovered in the area in the days after Mr
Bakers death, the weapon used to fatally stab him was never found.
“I’m pleased that the defendant has admitted fatally injuring Mr Baker,
which can hopefully provide some closure to his family and friends.
“This incident resulted in another tragic loss of a young life as a
result of the use of a knife and has left a family devastated and a
community scared and in shock.
“Sadly, Mr Baker’s death also highlights that if you carry a weapon, you
increase the likelihood of it being used against you, which is
tragically all too apparent in this case.
“Knife crime has life-changing consequences, for everyone involved. The
defendant in this case has robbed a family of their son, brother and
friend and having this on his criminal record will have a massive impact
on his future.
“We are working incredibly hard, alongside an extensive number of
partner agencies, to educate young people in South Yorkshire and to look
at how everyone can work to prevent and tackle knife crime.
“We can only do this with your help though. It is so important that
people speak to us, so that we can apprehend and prosecute those
responsible. A guilty plea and today’s sentencing can never bring back
Mr Baker and my thoughts are with his family and friends on this
incredibly difficult day.”
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Mr Baker’s family have issued a statement following the conclusion of
the case. They said: “On behalf of the family, nothing can bring back
Samuel’s life or rectify the cowardly actions that were carried out.
“We are satisfied that the person responsible is in custody and progress
has been made pertaining to the case.
“Samuel’s family and friends can try to begin the healing process now
and remember who he was, a caring, talented brother, uncle and son.”
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