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A man has been found guilty of the murder of a rugby player outside a nightclub in Bodmin, Cornwall, while two others face charges related to the incident.
Jake Hill, 25, was convicted of fatally stabbing Michael Riddiough-Allen, 32, outside the Eclipse Nightclub on April 30, 2023.
Chelsea Powell, 22, was acquitted of murder and manslaughter charges but found guilty of perverting the course of justice. Tia Taylor, 22, initially denied charges but later pleaded guilty to manslaughter and perverting the course of justice.
Mr Riddiough-Allen’s family expressed their grief and emphasized the growing problem of knife crime in society. They stressed that no one emerged victorious from the trial, acknowledging the devastation suffered by all families involved.
The tragedy unfolded when a fight erupted outside the nightclub, during which Hill used a hunting knife to attack multiple individuals, including Mr Riddiough-Allen, who was unarmed and attempting to intervene.
Hill was arrested at Taylor’s home, where he was hiding in the loft and fell through the hatch during a police raid. Prosecutors argued that both Taylor and Powell participated in the attack.
While Hill was found guilty of stabbing four other people, he was acquitted of stabbing a sixth individual. Mr. Riddiough-Allen succumbed to a fatal wound to his stomach sustained during the altercation.
The trial also heard allegations of attempted perverting the course of justice against Powell and Taylor for statements given to the police after the stabbings.
The family of Mr Riddiough-Allen, who has launched a trust to combat knife crime, emphasized the need for education and collaboration to address the root causes of violence.
Detective Constable Emma Norrish from Devon and Cornwall Police expressed hope that the verdict would bring closure to the victim’s family and friends.
The sentencing of the three defendants is scheduled for April 12.
This tragic incident underscores the devastating impact of knife crime on individuals and communities, highlighting the urgent need for collective action to prevent such senseless violence.
