Rico Burton, 31, was fatally stabbed in Altrincham on August 22, 2022, by Liam O’Pray, 22, who was found guilty of the crime.
The seven-inch blade nearly entirely severed a main neck artery, according to testimony presented at Manchester Crown Court, leading to significant blood loss.
His mother declared that the traveling community would never forget about Rico.
The court heard that the violence started as a result of an altercation between the defendant’s companions and Mr. Burton’s family and friends at a Goose Green bar courtyard.
O’Pray, of Salford, was described as being “very erratic” and a “loose cannon” by door staff and witnesses at the trial.
Judge Alan Conrad KC sentenced O’Pray to prison after hearing his denial of murder, saying, “You were a stabbing waiting to happen.
“Yet again this court has to deal with the death, injury, and devastation as a result of a knife being taken out.”
After O’Pray’s friend Malachi Hewitt-Brown was punched by Mr. Burton’s cousin Chasiah Burton, “absolute chaos” allegedly broke out just after 03:30 BST, the jury was informed.
Following that, O’Pray stabbed Mr. Burton in the neck on the left side, killing him instantly.
In a victim impact statement given in court, Ms. Burton’s mother, Deborah Burton, called her “golden boy” Mr. Burton.
She declared, “Rico will never be forgotten among the entire traveler community.
“A portion of me perished inside the day he passed away. My heart has been severed and torn apart.
It was “standard” behavior for O’Pray to go out drinking, cause trouble while carrying a knife, the prosecutor, Michael Brady KC, told the jury.
He had already been found guilty in 2019 for carrying a weapon in public, the court was informed.
O’Pray, however, asserted to the jury that he was “not a violent person” and that he carried the knife “to defend myself.”
Tests later revealed that the defendant’s bloodstream included cannabis, cocaine, and ketamine. He also had three wraps of cocaine on him when he was taken into custody soon after the event.
O’Pray was also found guilty of intentionally inflicting harm on Harvey Reilly, who was 17 at the time, by stabbing and slashing him.
Mr. Reilly was “instrumental” in being saved by the police who arrived on the scene, but Mr. Burton, a father of one, passed away from his injuries in the hospital a short time later.
You can point the finger at a lot of different things, but the court informed O’Pray that the issue was really with him and other people who made the decision to carry knives.
Following Mr. Burton’s passing, his boxing champion cousin made an ardent social media plea regarding knife violence, stating that “this needs to stop.”
“Life is very precious and it can be taken away very quickly, enjoy every moment,” Fury wrote in an Instagram post. RIP Cruz Burton I pray that the Lord would give you a wonderful position in paradise. I’ll see you shortly.
His family remembered Mr. Burton as “a friendly, kind soul with humor of a comedian, [whose] smile would and could light up any room,” in a statement of homage.
“We cannot see how life can go on without him,” they declared.
The family and friends who were present on that tragic night are wounded and traumatized, thus the images in our brains will never be forgotten.
Parent should not be forced to watch as their child is brutally murdered. Nobody should ever have to bury their child.
O’Pray was characterized as a “extremely dangerous individual” who lacked remorse by Det Ch Insp Gina Brennand of the GMP.
“Anyone who carries a knife is a danger to themselves and others, and I hope this investigation will serve as a deterrent to carrying knives,” the woman continued.
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