Young footballer stabbed to death by drunk teen after asking him to leave party
A teenager who stabbed a talented young footballer to death with a Rambo knife at a house party has been jailed for 13 years.
Gurveer Bhandal, who was 18 at the time, knifed Ashley Day, 20, who had hired a flat in Digbeth, Birmingham to celebrate finishing college and getting into university.
Ashley, who had "excelled" at Newport County's academy, was attacked after he asked people to leave the property following noise complaints. A court heard he got into row with Bhandal before the situation escalated, resulting in the teen stabbing Ashley three times in the chest and once in the back.
CCTV captured Bhandal running from the flat and discarding the knife, which was later found in a nearby construction site, on June 29 last year. He was cleared of murder but found guilty of manslaughter as well as possession of a bladed article following a trial at Birmingham Crown Court.
Bhandal, now aged 19, of Wombourne, Staffordshire, has now been jailed for 13 years.
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After the court case last November, Ashley’s family released a tribute to their “loving boy”. They said: “Ashley will be remembered for his joyous smile that always lit up the rooms he entered. His kind, caring and compassionate nature was shown through his warm love for his family and friends. Ashley was happiness. His well-mannered, warm aura always made you feel at ease whenever you were around him.
Gurveer Bhandal pictured (West Midlands Police / SWNS)
Ashley hired a flat for a party (West Midlands Police / SWNS)“Ashley was held in high regard by all who met him, and he will be deeply missed by all. Ashley was brought up as a Christian, received Holy Communion and was baptised. He was a great big brother and protector of his younger brother, Leon. He was raised by his wonderful mother, Immaculate Day, who gave him the freedom to experience life to the fullest.
"He was very passionate about football and excelled at Newport football academy, and also had a great love for music. He was highly intelligent and was excited to start his undergraduate degree at Brunel university this year. Ashley was a very loving boy. Anyone who knew him will tell you how he exuded joy and happiness and always wanted the best for everybody.
“He hated violence and was always the first peacemaker. His smile was infectious, and his sense of humour was out of this world. Our hearts are bleeding for our model son. The agony of losing a child/brother is indescribable and the pain is insurmountable, however, fond memories of Ashley will never fade, and he will forever be close to our hearts. Farewell, beautiful Ashley, your stars go down to shine upon some further shore and you will be loved forever more.”
A photo showing Bhandal discarding the knife (West Midlands Police / SWNS)Detective Chief Inspector Laura Harrison, of West Midlands Police, said: “Ashley was a well-liked, bright and popular young man who was very much looking forward to the future. He wanted to celebrate achieving his place at university by hosting a party with friends. What should have been a joyous occasion turned to tragedy. This has had a devastating effect on Ashley’s family but they have conducted themselves with respect and dignity throughout. Our thoughts remain with them as they continue to come to terms with his loss.”
During the trial last November, Prosecutor Peter Grieves-Smith Kc said: "The flat was pretty full, quite a lot of people listening to music, dancing, drinking, some smoking cannabis and some also took what they called Smartwhip, better known as nitrous oxide or laughing gas." Evidence showed Bhandal was 'intoxicated' while Mr Day had been drinking but wasn't drunk, the court heard. Police had visited earlier due to the 'general noise and commotion', causing some to leave, only to return later.
Bhandal was seen waving a knife on a balcony and taunting people at one point. Mr Grieves-Smith relayed the account of a female witness and said: "When he was asked to calm down by Ashley Day his mood changed. At this point he had a different knife in his hand it was a silver knife with a black handle, what she calls a Rambo knife.
"At this point Ashley Day was holding a nitrous oxide canister, about a foot in length and a few centimetres round. The defendant went for Ashley Day, stabbed him in the chest and stabbed him twice more in quick succession. Ashley Day fell to the floor and then she saw the defendant stab him again to this back before leaving the room."
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