Teen with knife obsession gets life for murder
A TEENAGER with a “fascination for knives” who stabbed another teen to death during a knife fight following a social media feud has been jailed for life.
Jack Barry died after Cameron Cheshire plunged a knife into his chest on a street in Great Barr.
Cheshire, 18, of West Road, Great Barr, had denied murdering Mr Barry, aged 19, but was found guilty following a trial at Birmingham Crown Court. He must serve a minimum of 18 years before being considered for parole.
The court heard that Cheshire and Mr Barry had known each other from school and had previously been friends but fell out.
Richard Smith QC, prosecuting, said that according to those who knew them the falling out may have had something to do with money or girls.
He said they had been feuding on social media and messages had been
found on Mr Barry’s phone which gave an indication of the exchanges between them.
Mr Smith said that both the defendant and victim had made threats to stab others in messages.
Images of knives were found on the phones of both of them and Cheshire had offered to sell a Rambo knife.
Mr Smith said there was a previous incident when Mr Barry and the defendant had passed each other in the street and the victim lifted up his top to reveal what appeared to be a knife saying: ‘‘I will shank you up.’’
On March 7 this year, the two had been out with friends before they met by chance near an alleyway on West Road.
Mr Smith said: “When their paths crossed that dark Sunday night in Great Barr both took the chance to take out the knives they were carrying on their person and attacked each other with them. A knife fight. Both young men were the aggressors and both inflicted harm on the other.
“They stabbed each other. It was Mr Barry who received the most serious injury and he died where he fell.”
In passing sentence, Judge Francis Laird QC said: “I am satisfied that this incident began by Mr Barry throwing a bottle towards you and as he approached you he produced a knife he was carrying.
“Far from being a victim this was, I am satisfied, the opportunity to confront him that you had threatened and you approached him and took out a large knife you were carrying, with a blade of approximately 12 inches.
“I am sure you were both intent on a knife fight. The evidence suggests that you both simultaneously exchanged blows with each stabbing the other.
“His death has had devastating and lasting consequences. You are a young man who is fascinated by knives and knife culture and you had threatened to use a knife on Jack Barry when you saw him.”
Patrick Upward QC, defending, said: “It is a tragedy for everybody. No one else was involved in what took place other than the deceased and the defendant. It was not a public affray. It was an example of compulsive behaviour. This young man suffers from ADHD.”