Connor Brown murder: Watch moment killer Leighton Barrass is apprehended by bouncers after stabbing Sunderland teenager
and live on Freeview channel 276
Leighton Barras has been found guilty of murder and Ally Gordon has been found guilty of manslaughter by a jury following a three-week trial at Newcastle Crown Court.
Connor Brown, who was just 18-years-old, was stabbed five times in the early hours of Sunday, February 24, by Leighton Barrass, of Hartside Square.
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide AdThe 20-year-old killer had bought a flick knife, with the words ‘joker’ written on the side, the day before and is captured on CCTV throughout the day showing others the knife and flicking out the blade as he become more intoxicated.
As Barrass is found guilty of murder, CCTV footage from the city centre has been released showing him fleeing from the scene of the fatal attack.
Barrass, who wears a distinctive blue puffer jacket, flees from the scene but falls to the ground in Albion Place outside Chilinos and is kicked in the head by a doorman, who was told Barrass was carrying a knife.
The court heard members of the public on a night out initially defended Barrass from the bouncers – including Ally Gordon who follows officers and Barrass to the police van.
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide AdOfficers from Northumbria Police arrived and he is seen being escorted into the back of a police van.
Ally Gordon can be seen in the footage speaking to Barrass as he is taken away and holding his white cap.
Blood can be seen on Barrass’s face, where he had been punched earlier on in the evening.
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide AdHe told bouncers he had been stabbed but when they checked they couldn’t find any wounds.
Leighton Barrass and Ally Gordon, 20, of Polmuir Road, both denied killing the Farringdon lad, who worked as a receptionist for Happy House GP Surgery in Sunderland.
A three-week trial, held at Newcastle Crown Court, found Barrass guilty of murder and Gordon guilty of manslaughter and possessing a bladed weapon.
Barrass had previously pleaded guilty to possessing a bladed weapon.
They will both be sentenced tomorrow.
What happened on the night Connor was killed?
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide AdJurors heard Barrass and Gordon entered the alleyway near Park Lane and had tried to sell drugs to Dominic Moan, who had declined, before trying again to sell drugs with Stephen Nunn – who was in the back lane with friend Connor Brown.
When Mr Nunn declined, he told jurors while giving evidence that Barrass asked him to swap £10 for two £5 notes – when Mr Nunn did, Barrass only gave £5 back.
The altercation became heated and Mr Nunn said he felt threatened by Barrass and punched him in the face before Barrass, and Gordon, fled up the road.
In what the prosecution called ‘an act of calculated revenge’, Barrass returned, with Gordon, to the back lane – this time brandishing a flick knife and threatening to ‘stab any one of you’.
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide AdJurors heard Connor Brown ‘bravely’ stepped forward in an attempt to stop Barrass from carrying out his threats.
In the seconds that followed, Connor was stabbed five times – one of which entered his heart and proved fatal.
Ally Gordon could be seen on CCTV kicking at Connor who had fallen to the ground in the attack.