A 28-year-old man, Jemelle Rodney, has been jailed for a minimum of 20 years for the murder of a Newark teenager at a birthday party.
Nathan Somers, 19, was found injured on a path in Beacon Hill Conservation Park, in Beacon Hill Road, Newark, on August 31 last year.
A play fight broke out at a party between two boys which attracted a crowd and Nathan intervened. As a result he became involved in an argument with Jemelle Rodney who produced a knife and stabbed him.
Despite efforts from party-goers, police and paramedics, Nathan died at the scene. Rodney and his friends fled, discarding the lock knife in the process.In early police interviews with Rodney admitted fighting with Nathan but denied stabbing him, but it was only at the trial that he admitted holding the knife at the time of the stabbing - but claimed it was an accident.
Jemelle Rodney, of Thornville Grove, in Mitcham, Surrey, was convicted of murder and given a life sentence. He was told he will spend a minimum of 20 years behind bars.
A 17-year-old was found guilty of possession of an offensive weapon.
An 18-year-old was convicted of affray.
Both were bailed until sentencing at a date yet to be set.
Another man - Reuben Edwards, 19, of Gardendale Avenue, Clifton - was acquitted of any involvement and walked free from court.
Nathan’s mum Andrea Somers paid tribute to her son on behalf of the family. She said: “We already know what it’s like to lose a child. To have another taken from us in such a violent way is beyond words.
“Nathan looked after you. He would always go that extra mile. He cared for his little sister in the final years of her life and at the age of ten he was recognised for this when he and his older brother Aaron were voted carers of the year.
“He was there for Jodie during her final days. If there is just one thing I can hold on to out of all of this, it is that Aaron was there for Nathan during his final moments.
“He was a typical teenage boy, he wasn’t perfect, but he was my son and now he is gone forever.
“The last year has been a living nightmare and the last few weeks at court have been a rollercoaster of emotions. Yesterday's result gives us some sense of justice, but it can never make up for what we have lost. Our lives will never be the same. We will now just have to find a way to make our way through this world without Nathan.
“I’d like to thank the Notts Police officers who have supported us during this ordeal.”
Detective Chief Inspector Rob Griffin, who led the case, said: “Jemelle Rodney was much older than the other people at the party. He went anyway. But instead of setting a good example to his younger friends he displayed characteristics totally at odds with that of a positive role model.
“While others were out to enjoy themselves peacefully, the 17-year-old felt the need to take a knife with him. Jemelle went one step further and used it.
“It is beyond me why anyone would ever want to take a knife to a party. It is only ever going to end in tragedy, which is exactly what happened on this night.
“We have got to change the mindset of anyone who thinks that taking a knife out with them can ever be acceptable. It isn’t.
In one spontaneous moment a knife was there to reach for and as a result a family is now missing a son and brother, and three people have been convicted. For what? Point-scoring? Bravado? Pride?
“The simple fact is had that knife not been taken to the party Nathan Somers would still be alive today.”
No comments:
Post a Comment