A 30-year-old man has been jailed for 17 years after being convicted of manslaughter following a fatal stabbing in Menston.

Mason Jones, 30, from Bournemouth, was stabbed in the stomach shortly before 10am on Sunday (Mar 1) on Iron Row, just off Main Street in Menston.

The court heard that a woman had asked John Robinson to attend her home following an argument at the address. Robinson armed himself with a knife and stabbed Mason in the stomach during the confrontation.

Mason was taken to hospital but died later that afternoon.

Robinson, 30, of Derry Hill, Menston, appeared in court on Friday (Sep 25), where a jury cleared him of murder but found him guilty of manslaughter and possession of a bladed article in a public place.

He was sentenced to 17 years in prison that afternoon.

Following the conviction, Mason's family described the devastating impact of his death and paid tribute to him.

They said: “Today’s conviction does not bring our Mason back. We have been given a life sentence.

“The pain and hurt this has caused our family are catastrophic, and we will carry this with us for the rest of our lives, knowing that he was taken in such a horrendous way.

“Mason was a loving son, brother, dad, partner, and friend. His heart was the biggest, and his smile lit up every room. His cheeky personality and love for life will remain with us forever. He will always be remembered for the person he was, not the way he was taken from us. His children will grow up without their dad, but we will make sure they know how deeply he loved them. We know that, as they grow, they will carry a part of Mason with them, and we hope they go on to make him proud every single day.

“We would like to sincerely thank the Homicide & Major Enquiry Team for their support, compassion, and dedication throughout this heartbreaking journey. They have helped us through some of the hardest days of our lives, and we will always be grateful.

"Mason will never be forgotten. He will always be loved, forever missed, and remembered as our cheeky, loving boy.”

Senior Investigating Officer Detective Inspector Hannah Dixon, of the Homicide and Major Enquiry Team, said: “Our thoughts remain with Mason’s family and loved ones. This was a senseless act that has had a devastating impact on his family.

“Robinson armed himself with a knife and used it during the confrontation. He has now been held accountable for his actions.

“As this case shows, carrying is knife is never the answer.”