Four convicted after fatally stabbing a peacemaker

Four people have been sentenced after fatally stabbing a man who tried to act as a peacemaker and break up a fight.

Sidney Palmer died in hospital from a single stab wound after intervening in an argument in Leicester city center in September.

At the city's crown court on Wednesday, Victor-Eduard Raja was found guilty of murder and Michael Berlin was found guilty of manslaughter.

Nathan Pritchard previously pleaded guilty to manslaughter, while Diana Bodrug admitted assisting an offender.

All four will be sentenced on June 24.

Leicestershire Police said that around 6:15 p.m. BST on September 30, there was an altercation with Nathan Pritchard and another man in Conduit Street – with Pritchard then punched by another man outside a store on London Road shortly after. time later, in retaliation.

Returning to Conduit Street around 7:00 p.m., Pritchard challenged the first man and called Michael Berlin, who threatened him.

Victor-Eduard Raja then received a call from Berlin and went to the scene, armed with a knife.

A fight started with Raja violently punching the man.

Several people nearby intervened, including Sid Palmer, who tried to pull Raja away.

CCTV showed Raja, 25, brandishing the knife and swinging at Mr Palmer, missing him once before striking him with a single stab to the chest.

The wound went through his heart and lungs.

Police tracked Raja via CCTV to a taxi to Blackbird Road where he was picked up by his mother, Diana Bodrug, and driven to Yorkshire.

She booked him into accommodation with false details and bought him a new phone SIM card.

But Raja, of Columbine Road, Leicester, was found and arrested by armed officers in the early hours of Thursday October 5.

Pritchard, 30, of Conduit Street, pleaded guilty to manslaughter while Bodrug, 49, of Melton Road, Syston, pleaded guilty to assisting an offender.

Following a trial which concluded at Leicester Crown Court on Wednesday, Raja was found guilty of murder and possession of a sharp article in a public place.

Michael Berlin, 32, of Great Central Way, Leicester, was found guilty of manslaughter.

A 35-year-old man was found not guilty of manslaughter following the trial.

Detective Inspector Mark Sinski, who was the lead investigating officer, said: “This is a tragic loss of the life of a popular man, who was only trying to act as a perpetrator. peace and to stop the initial fight.

“Sidney was a well-known and loved man and his death has understandably had a devastating effect on his family and friends.”

Follow BBC Leicester on Facebookon XOr on Instagram. Send your story ideas to [email protected] or via WhatsApp on 0808 100 2210.

See more

Related web links