KNIVES 'ALL TOO COMMON'

JUDGE'S WARNING AS HE HANDS OUT 'DETERRENT SENTENCES' AFTER TEENAGER'S DEATH

- ANDREW BARDSLEY

A JUDGE sent a warning to young people carrying Rambo and zombie knives as he locked up two men in the aftermath of a teenager’s death.

Judge Nicholas Dean KC, the Honorary Recorder of Manchester, said deterrent sentences were required as Charlie Harrison and a 17-yearold boy were both jailed for violent disorder and possessing an offensive weapon. The case followed the death of 18-year-old Coby Tristram, who was fatally stabbed in the street during a confrontation in Whitefield, Bury in March.

A 16-year-old boy had gone on trial accused of murder and an alternative count of manslaughter, while Harrison, 21; Shams Benda, 18; and the 17-year-old boy, were all accused of manslaughter. But following legal submissions by their defence teams following the close of the prosecution case, a judge ruled that a jury could not safely convict them, and they were all acquitted of the charges they faced in connection with Mr Tristram’s death.