Killer Bradley Ward jailed for life over fatal stabbing of Ricky Collin
Bradley Ward, 24, was found guilty of murder after a gripping three-week trial at Derby Crown Court. He has been sentenced to life behind bars with a minimum of 23 years to serve.
Stabbing horror on Westthorpe Road
On the night of Monday 29 March, police rushed to Westthorpe Road following reports of a brutal assault. Ricky Collin, 31, from sheffield/" title="Sheffield" data-wpil-keyword-link="linked">Sheffield, had suffered two deep stab wounds, one cutting through an artery. Despite staggering down the street, Ricky collapsed and was rushed to hospital, where he tragically died just after midnight on 30 March.
The deadly confrontation
During the trial, the court heard how Bradley Ward pulled up alongside Ricky’s van, got out, and plunged a knife into him. Ward denied murder, claiming self-defence, but the jury saw through his story.
Family tied up in crime
Ward’s father David Ward, 44, along with Martin Mongan, 45, from Pontefract, and Kelly Ward, 43, all admitted to assisting an offender. David and Martin were jailed for two years each. Kelly Ward awaits sentencing at a later date.
“No sentence will bring Ricky back,” said Detective Chief Inspector Sally Blaiklok. “But his family can take some comfort that justice has been done, and the man responsible will spend many years behind bars.”
