The heartbroken mum of a man who was brutally stabbed to death told a court how she almost lost her son to meningitis when he was just eight weeks old.
Lisa Ward, the devastated mum of Jordan Brophy, gave a heartbreaking statement in Liverpool Crown Court today (Friday, August 5) ahead of her son's killer, Karl Townsend, being jailed for 19 years. Townsend claimed he was acting in self defence when he knifed Mr Brophy after he broke into his Halewood home.
Townsend stabbed his former classmate in his head, face, and arms after being alerted to the burglary buy his Ring doorbell. He and his 23-year-old half-brother Jamie Cunningham "hurriedly made their way to the scene" armed with knives.
READ MORE: Victim's family cheers as killer who stabbed burglar to death jailed
An ultimately fatal blow severed his jugular vein, causing "immediate and catastrophic blood loss". After all the evidence was heard, Ms Ward read a statement out to the court and said she almost lost her son when he was eight weeks with meningitis.
She said: "I’d just like to share with you this immense feeling of pain, loss and heartache this has had on my family. I am broken. No-one has the right to take anybody’s life regardless of where, what or when.
"That is exactly what Townsend did to my boy. Jordan was the prettiest of little boys. At only eight weeks old, I nearly lost him to meningitis. He was seriously ill. He fought hard, only to have his life cruelly taken away from him.
"Jordan was my mischievous little boy at school, always the clown of the class. It was either Jordan’s way or the highway, he was always right even though most of the time he was wrong. Jordan was extremely bright at school and popular.
"It wasn’t until his last few years at school I requested he be checked for ADHD. He was found to be on the spectrum but sadly it was never taken any further. Jordan went on to Halewood comp, and he went on to be the clown of the class.
"He left school and went on to do a bricklaying course. It just wasn’t for Jord. This is when he got his first job in manufacturing working at Jaguar Land Rover alongside me. Sadly he finished, this was the turning point in my Jord’s life.
"He began to suffer badly with his mental health. He went down the wrong path in life, but being his mum I always stood by my Jord. We were beyond close, he adored me.
"Apparently there was no-one like his mum, like he used to tell people. I loved and adored him. He was never perfect and innocent, but never did anyone have the right to take him from me. I loved and nurtured him for 31 short years. He was a lad that always needed mum’s wise words, even though he rarely took notice of them."
Cunningham, of Penmann Crescent, had previously been on trial accused of possession of a bladed article but later admitted this charge. He was cleared of murder during an earlier trial, during which the jury failed to reach a verdict regarding the same charge on Townsend.
During the retrial a jury of six men and six woman acquitted Townsend of murder after 10 hours and two minutes of deliberations. However, he was found guilty of manslaughter by a majority of 10 to two.
Locking him up for 19 years, Judge Menary said: "On that night, soon after you had left and while your partner and child were out the house, Jordan Brophy and three other accomplices broke into your house. This was plainly a targeted attack, a smash and grab where the burglars arrived in convoy, were not concerned about making a noise and did not expect to be in the house for very long.
"They were after your stash of controlled drugs. I’ve no doubt your principal source of income was dealing in class A and B drugs. No other explanation makes any sense.
"I have no doubt you were dealing in a much more significant way than what you admitted and members of your family were fully aware. This was not a home invasion with a terrified occupant.
"What resulted was the sort of violent encounter which so often accompanies this type of activity. You were provoked by Jordan Brophy’s audacious actions, but your response was not justified.
"I have no doubt you were playing the leading role and had encouraged Jamie Cunningham to be armed to support you. Thomas Barnes came with your mother, and he had a knife.
"Another of your brothers also attended with a metal bar. You must have had some discussion that this would be your response.
"As has been said, Jordan Brophy was no angel. He had a number of serious previous convictions and was under investigation for other matters. But whatever he was doing on the night - he did not deserve to die as he did."
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