Berwick Hills man James Stephen Darren Murphy pleaded guilty at Newcastle Crown Court to the murder of his friend, 20-year-old Lucas Bishop
James Stephen Darren Murphy
A Berwick Hills man has been sentenced to life in prison for the murder of his friend.
James Stephen Darren Murphy has been given a life sentence with a minimum term of 17 years and 352 days by Judge James Goss QC, the Recorder of Newcastle, this afternoon.
The 21-year-old pleaded guilty at Newcastle Crown Court earlier today to the murder of 20-year-old Lucas Bishop on September 8 last year.
At the sentencing hearing, a statement from Mr Bishop's mother Jane was read out.
She said: "James Murphy has not just taken one life. He has taken all of our lives."
"To know we allowed him into our house, knowing he has gone on to take Lucas's life, is indescribable," she said.
Stabbing: Westerdale Road, Berwick Hills
View gallery
Adrian Waterman QC, defending, said Murphy did show genuine remorse, and real courage in entering his guilty plea.
He said the trigger for the men's fight was Murphy saying: "I don't want to be your friend anymore."
When sentencing, Judge Goss said the killing was a "entirely needless" and left Mr Bishop's family distraught.
No comments:
Post a Comment