Killers carried out revenge attack on ‘gentle giant’ murdered in his own home

19 December 2023 , 19:50

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Warren Burns, 37, who died after being attacked at his home on Heysham Avenue, Withington, south Manchester, on 21 May 2023 (Image: MEN Media)

Two killers have been jailed for a horrific revenge attack on a "gentle giant" who they murdered in his own home.

Ryan White and Damian White stormed into Warren Burns' home in Withington, Manchester, and savagely beat the Brit to death. The dad's partner, Lucille Lee, and their baby, were both at home at the time and fled, fearing for their safety. Warren, 37, had just become a father again to a ten-week-old son before he was kicked, stamped on, punched and beaten on May 23 of this year - he died three days later from his injuries.

Both Ryan and Damian White, who are related, were convicted of murder and manslaughter respectively following a trail at Manchester Crown Court, the MEN reported. A third man, Brandon White, was cleared of both offences and a woman, Casey-Jay McDonagh Andrews was found not guilty of assisting an offender.

At a sentencing hearing on December 19, Ryan White was jailed for life to serve a minimum term of 17 years in prison; and Damian White was jailed for 11 years. The court heard that members of the White family assembled on the afternoon of May 21 this year, with two cars travelling in convoy together to the house on Heysham Avenue. They then knocked on the door of Warren’s home, and asked to see him, when his partner answered.

Prosecutor Nicholas Lumley KC said: "It was not a social or friendly visit." They continued: "Uninvited, they went upstairs to find him. He ended up on his bed, where outnumbered and defenceless, he was kicked, stamped on, punched and beaten with such force that, even with police and paramedics racing to the scene, his life could not be saved."

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The court was told that there had been a "grudge of sorts" between the families for a number of years. This was said to originate to an incident from 2018 in which Warren had been on a night out with pals, when Noel White, Ryan’s brother, was killed. The man accused of murdering Noel was acquitted following a trial. The White family cut ties with Mr Burns after this because they were unhappy with his account, which in their minds, had contributed to the man being found not guilty.

Killers carried out revenge attack on ‘gentle giant’ murdered in his own home

Ryan White jailed for life for the murder of Warren Burns (MEN MEDIA)

Days before the fatal attack, there had been a "verbal altercation" between the families at a festival at Platt Fields Park, Fallowfield. This was said to have been a "catalyst" for Ryan and Damien going to Warren’s home. Bravely reading from her victim impact statement, Mr Burn's 13-year-old daughter told the court: "I don't really know how to write about this but no 13-year-old girl should know how to put this situation into words.

"I am also a victim, my dad is dead. It's something I should have never expected to deal with. I want the people who did this to know how much they have hurt me and the people around my dad. I will never let my dad be forgotten."

Damian White jailed for 11 years for the manslaughter of Warren Burns (MEN MEDIA)

For Ryan White, Iain Simkin KC said there wasn't an agreement to kill Mr Burns, instead describing it as a "spontaneous act", though he accepted there was planning. And for Damian White, Gordon Cole KC said his client said he "anticipated" there would be some violence when he went to the house. He added that Damian White expressed remorse and "truly understands what he has done".

Sentencing them, Judge Elizabeth Nicholls said: "This is a tragedy that will live with the Burns' family forever. On May 21, Warren Burns was brutally attacked as he lay on his bed. Lasting under six minutes, he sustained head injuries from which he died on May 24.

Police on Heysham Avenue, Withington, south Manchester - outside Warren's house (MEN Media)

"On a sunny afternoon, for utterly unfathomable reasons, you savagely beat him to death. Life will never be normal for this family again. I find that you wanted to impose your own form of justice over some nonsense and poison that was poured into your ears by somebody else. And this was an eruption of anger and resentment that had built up over the years - there is no other explanation for why you resorted to such an outburst of brutality."

Ryan White, of Valdetta Close, was jailed for life to serve a minimum term of 17 years in prison before he will be considered for release by the Parole Board. Damian White, of Woodham Road, was jailed for 11 years and will serve two thirds of his sentence before being released on licence.

Speaking after the hearing, Senior Investigating Officer, Detective Inspector Louise Edwards of GMP's Major Incident Team said; "Warren had just welcomed his second child and was about to embark on life as a father of two. His life was cruelly taken away from him in a senseless act of sickening and unprovoked violence which happened in his partner's home."

"Ryan White and Damian White went to Heysham Avenue to seek what they saw as revenge. They brutally assaulted Warren while his partner and baby son were in the house. Since their arrest, they have shown no regard for anybody other than themselves. I would like to thank Warren's family, and in particular his partner, for their courage throughout this investigation. This tragic ordeal will be everlasting for them and my thoughts remain with them."

"I would also like to pay tribute to the witnesses who have assisted Greater Manchester Police in this investigation, and to the investigation team whose hard work helped secure convictions and sentences in this case".