Teenager in Sunderland was stabbed to death ‘after row over £5’

Aspiring boxer was stabbed to death in back alley four days after his 19th birthday when he stood up to man who was threatening to knife people after row over £5, court hears

  • Connor Brown and his friends got into a row with people they knew from school
  • When one alleged attacker produced a knife, Connor punched him, jury told
  • Connor was then repeatedly stabbed and left with five wounds, prosecution say
  • Leighton Barrass and Ally Gordon both deny murder after incident in Sunderland

Connor Brown was knifed to death after he stood up to a man following a row over £5, a court has heard

A teenager was stabbed to death in an alleyway after standing up to a knifeman who threatened to stab his friends in a row over £5, a court has heard.

Connor Brown was out with friends in Sunderland just four days after turning 19 when they were approached in an alleyway by Leighton Barrass and Ally Gordon – who Connor knew from school.

Barrass claimed one of Connor’s friends had short-changed him after asking to swap a £10 note for two £5 notes and, after becoming angry, attacked the youngster, Newcastle Crown Court heard.

When Connor tried to defend his friends, Barrass repeatedly stabbed him, leaving him with fatal wounds, a jury were told.

Barrass, 20, and Gordon, 20, both of Sunderland, deny murder. They are accused of acting as a team.

Barrass has admitted having a knife in the alley that night while Gordon denies possessing a different knife on his way to Scotland.

Prosecutor Jamie Hill QC said: ‘As Barrass was threatening to stab someone, Connor Brown stepped forward and punched him, we say to stop him carrying out his threat.

‘Barrass then proceeded to stab Connor Brown in the chest.

‘Connor tried to fight back but he was bleeding heavily, and the pair ended up crashing into some bins and then falling on the floor with Barrass on top continuing to wield the knife, delivering blows to the front and back of his body.

‘This part of the incident is clearly visible on the CCTV. As is Gordon’s involvement.’

The alleged attack unfolded in an alleyway behind this pub in Sunderland in February

The alleged attack unfolded in an alleyway behind this pub in Sunderland in February

The prosecutor continued: ‘Gordon, who had followed close behind Barrass, took the opportunity of Connor Brown being on the floor with Barrass on top to join the attack, kicking and stamping at Connor.

‘Gordon and Barrass then retreated again. Connor Brown was helped to his feet but quickly staggered and collapsed due to loss of blood, he quickly lost consciousness.’

Connor, who had plans to become a boxer, was stabbed five times to the chest and back, the court heard, with three wounds so powerful they damaged bones.

Mr Hill said: ‘One wound had pierced his bowel, part of which was protruding from his body, but even more critically, one stab wound had entered the left ventricle of his heart and it was this which would prove fatal.’

Despite attempts to save him, including opening his chest in the street and massaging his heart, he later died.

Connor’s parents got a call from one of his friends and arrived at the scene not long after the stabbing.

They followed the ambulance to the hospital and were present when he died, the court heard.

Floral tributes, boxing gloves and football shirts were laid at the scene after the attack

Floral tributes, boxing gloves and football shirts were laid at the scene after the attack

The jury were told that doormen from the nearby Borough pub chased Barrass down and after he tripped and fell, one of them, fearing he was still armed, kicked him in the head and he was restrained until police arrived.

At the police station, Barrass told officers he hadn’t meant to stab Connor and that the victim had come onto the knife. He also said he had acted in self-defence.

Gordon travelled to Edinburgh after the attack, where he was later arrested.

Mr Hill said: “It seems he took to Facebook to defend Barrass’s actions, claiming that Connor Brown and five friends had attacked him and Barrass, and questioning what else Barrass was supposed to do.”

The trial continues.

 

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