Man jailed for manslaughter of 19-year-old in Leeds
Harry Abbott was stabbed in the back in the Seacroft area
A man has been jailed after being convicted of the manslaughter of 19-year-old Harry Abbott in Leeds.
Alfie Milburn, aged 19, was found guilty of manslaughter and possession of a knife in a public place back in April.
He appeared again at Leeds Crown Court today for sentencing where he was given a 14-year extended custodial sentence.
Harry Abbott was part of a group who visited Milburn’s home on Parkside View in the Seacroft area of Leeds in October last year with the intention of attacking him in retaliation for previous assaults on members of the group.
At around the same time the group arrived, Milburn left his house and got into a taxi which he was subsequently seen running from while being chased by members of the group. Out of sight of the CCTV cameras, Milburn stabbed Harry in the back.
The group were seen on CCTV returning to the Focus with Harry visibly stumbling and collapsing to the ground. They dragged him into the car before dumping his lifeless body on St Wilfred’s Crescent in Harehills, asking others to call an ambulance before driving away.
After Milburn was identified as a suspect, police searched his property where a machete was found outside the front door and a sword found under the cushions of a sofa in the lounge. A sheath was also found near his address.
Milburn had then left the country, travelling first to Dublin and then to Northern Ireland. A public appeal for information about his whereabouts was made before he was arrested at Belfast International Airport in October.
Senior Investigating Officer Detective Chief Inspector Matt Holdsworth, of the Homicide and Major Enquiry Team, said:
“These young men have resorted to the use of weapons and violence to solve their issues and unfortunately one of those men has suffered the ultimate price.
“Harry Abbott was just 19 years old and should have had his whole life ahead of him but sadly died in horrific circumstances after sustaining a non-survivable stab wound to the back.
“Instead of accepting responsibility for his actions, Milburn left the country after killing Harry and once he was arrested and charged, pleaded not guilty at court.
“This case shows the absolutely devastating effects of knife crime. One life was lost that day, but countless others have been irrecoverably ruined. As a society we must do all we can to educate and deter people from carrying knives, machetes and other weapons that can cause so much harm.”
Three others have pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit grievous bodily harm in connection with the circumstances surrounding Harry Abbott’s death and are due to be sentenced on 9th June.