A judge blasted the scourge of knife crime as he locked up a murderer who stabbed a new dad to death in the street. Neri Morse's loved ones told of their devastation following their loss after his killer was handed a life sentence.
Rushaun Brown will serve at least 24 years in prison after being found guilty of murder. Mr Norse, 24, was knifed to the heart on a busy street in Ancoats as part of a revenge attack. His son was just four months old when he was killed.
Manchester Crown Court heard that the killing was carried out in retaliation for a 'failed attack' by Mr Morse and his 22-year-old nephew Driece Morse in a nearby shop. The pair burst into the store, with Driece Morse wearing a balaclava and being armed with a knife.
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Brown, 24, and another man, Meisha Newby, also 24, left Zafs GoLocal store on Butler Street after being attacked and were initially pursued by the Morses. Brown and Newby later became the aggressors and pursued the Morses.
Neri Morse was stabbed to death by Brown on Carruthers Street, and Newby knifed Driece Morse. After a trial Brown was convicted of murdering Neri Morse, and Newby was found guilty of his manslaughter. Newby was also found guilty of unlawful wounding after stabbing Driece Morse.
"This is yet another case which illustrates graphically the devastation and harm caused by the carrying of knives in public," sentencing judge Alan Conrad KC said. "If knives are carried and trouble flares up they are almost inevitably used, and if used almost inevitably cause death or serious harm.
"Neri Morse was just 24 years old when he died an unnecessary and violent death. He was greatly loved by many. He was a son and a father and was cut down in the prime of life."
Prosecuting, Paul Reid KC said no reason could be put forward for the dispute. "There must have been a background to what happened," Judge Conrad added.
"Nobody has seen fit to make known what was behind this incident, when clearly it did not just arise from nothing. Whatever the background, I am satisfied so as to be sure that the two of you were intent on revenge after the violence in the shop."
Neri Morse's mother Julie Dixon told of her heartbreak at her son's murder. "Neri was my baby, he was my son," she said in a statement read to the court.
"Our lives have been ripped apart and I have no idea how I will get through this. He was loved by so many people.
"I go to the cemetery every single day and sit there. I need to go, we all do.
"I feel like I am in a dream that isn't going to end. I need to know that the people responsible for the death of my son realise what they have done."
Mr Morse's partner Nicole Mariko said no punishment would return her partner to his family. She said: "I don't feel better because no result would bring my partner and father to our son back.
"We had a life mapped out in front of us." Defending Brown, Richard Simons said the defendant had submitted a letter to the court in which he apologised to Mr Morse's family.
Mr Simons said Brown appreciates the 'enormity' of his actions. Brown, of Higher Ardwick, Ardwick, was found guilty of murder and previously pleaded guilty to having an offensive weapon.
He was sentenced to life in prison to serve a minimum of 24 years. Newby, of Brydon Avenue, Ardwick, was found guilty of manslaughter, unlawful wounding and having an offensive weapon.
He was found not guilty of murder. Newby was sentenced to 14 years in prison.
At trial a third man, Jermaine Leahong, 23, of Lagos Close, Hulme, was cleared of all charges. He was found not guilty of murder, manslaughter, wounding with intent and possessing an offensive weapon.
After the hearing, Detective Inspector Rachel Smith, of GMP’s Major Incident Team, said: "Though today’s result will not bring Neri back, I hope it brings his loved ones a sense of closure. Our thoughts remain with them, as they have done throughout our investigation and the subsequent trial."
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