Family in knife appeal after youth found guilty of killing

PARENTS of a man murdered in Yorkshire yesterday issued a plea over knife crime after a teenager was yesterday found guilty of killing him.
Joe Walker.Joe Walker.
Joe Walker.

Joe Walker, 23, suffered a single stab wound to the back after attending a party in the Manor area of Sheffield.

Yesterday, a jury at Sheffield Crown Court found 17-year-old Jimmy Connors, of Atherton Road, Arbourthorne, Sheffield, guilty of murder after a two-week trial.

Connors is due to be sentenced today.

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Police were called to land off Raynald Road, a short distance away from the party, at around 5am on September 21 last year where Mr Walker, a construction handyman, of Intake, Sheffield, was found with a stab injury.

Paramedics and police officers attempted to revive him at the scene, but he later died from his injuries at Sheffield’s Northern General Hospital.

Detective Inspector Melanie Palin said following yesterday’s verdict: “Joe was a young man with his life ahead of him.

“This was a tragic incident which took that opportunity from him.

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“We continue to support the family. Our thoughts are with them and we hope that they will now be able to grieve the loss of Joe in private.

“I would like to thank Joe’s family for their patience and co-operation during the investigation.”

In a statement, the victim’s parents said: “Nothing will ever take away the pain and heartache we feel, nor will it bring back our son.

“People need to think twice about carrying and using knives. It only shows their weaknesses.

“We are still numb from Joe’s death.

“Our lives have been turned upside down and the loss of Joe is difficult to describe.”

They added: “At home there is silence, no laughing or joking – just tears and photographs of happier times.”