After a meticulous investigation by Thames Valley Police’s Major Crime Unit, Abubakar Sakho, an 18-year-old resident of Pinewood Drive, Bletchley, Milton Keynes, has been sentenced to seven years in prison for the manslaughter of Lewis Butler in an incident that occurred last year. The sentencing took place at Luton Crown Court on October 2.
Sakho’s charges included possession of a bladed article, being concerned in the supply of a controlled drug of Class A, and manslaughter. He initially pleaded guilty to the drug-related charges on February 21 last year, followed by a guilty plea to manslaughter on December 15 the same year.
The tragic incident unfolded around 23.00 on January 17 last year when officers responded to a stabbing incident on Buttermere Close. Lewis Butler, aged 44 and from Bletchley, had sustained serious injuries. Emergency services treated him at the scene before transporting him to Milton Keynes General Hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries.
The subsequent murder investigation led to Sakho’s arrest on January 18, with formal charges following on January 21.
During his remand for the Bletchley manslaughter, Sakho faced additional charges related to an assault at Feltham Prison and Young Offender Institution in Feltham, London. On July 20, he was found guilty of Section 18 grievous bodily harm with intent at the Old Bailey and sentenced to a consecutive 10-year extended determinant sentence, comprising five years in prison and an additional five years on licence.
Detective Inspector Nick Hind, leading the Major Crime Unit, commented on the case, saying, “This tragic case appears to have been a result of a disagreement over a drug deal. The defendant went out to deal drugs armed with a knife, which he had no lawful reason to be carrying.”
He continued, “Thames Valley Police and the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner have launched Operation Deter, a tough new approach to tackling knife crime. We will not tolerate the possession or use of weapons, and our message is clear – you will be stopped, arrested, charged, and prosecuted.”
DI Hind paid tribute to Lewis Butler’s family for their support throughout the investigation and legal proceedings, acknowledging the profound impact Lewis’s death had on his family, friends, and the local community. While the sentencing won’t bring closure, it is a step toward justice, emphasising the consequences of carrying a knife and the commitment to making communities safer. The public is encouraged to report any information on knife crime anonymously to Thames Valley Police or Crimestoppers.
