Joshua Delbono, 19, stabbed Charley Bates, 16, in Somerset over an apparent £20 debt before being turned in by his mother, who told call-takers she couldn’t “let him go anywhere.
In a 999 call, the brave mother stated, “My son has killed someone.” He’s in my house now, and I can’t let him go anywhere,” she said before handing the phone to her killer child.
He confessed his crime to his mother at his home in Frome, Bristol, which occurred during a brawl between rival gangs of youths.
He was convicted after admitting to stabbing Charley in the heart but denying murder on the grounds of self-defence.
The jury heard that the fight broke out after insults were exchanged between two rival groups of youths – and that Delbono stabbed Charley several times with a five-inch blade because Charley had bad blood with a member of Delbono’s group.
When the gang fled after the stabbing, one of them allegedly yelled, “Don’t mess with us again!
Despite admitting to stabbing Bates, Delbono denied murder and was found guilty after a two-week trial.
More information: A 12-year-old boy yawns in court as he is accused of murdering his grandmother, 60, who died after being hit by a car.
Our thoughts and sympathies remain with Charley’s family, who have experienced unimaginable pain over the past nine months,” said DCI Mark Almond of Avon and Somerset Police. They are still grieving for Charley, and we are providing them with support through our specially trained officers.
Charley had his entire life ahead of him, and Joshua Delbono cut it short.” The vigil held in his memory in Radstock in the days following this senseless tragedy demonstrates how his death affected the community and how well-liked he was.
Such incidents are thankfully rare in Radstock, but the devastating effects knife crime has on families and communities are clear to all, which is why we are committed to working with our partners to do everything we can to prevent more tragedies like this from happening.
