The roofer who died after a brutal stabbing attack in Grimsby must have been “terrified” in the minutes before his horrific death, a judge has said.
Jack Howes, 29, was stabbed during an argument that turned into a violent confrontation. He died after suffering two catastrophic knife wound injuries that would have led to lots of blood being very quickly lost.
His family would “never recover” from his loss, Hull Crown Court heard.
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Kian Feve, 22, of Southfield Road, Scunthorpe, denied murdering Mr Howes on March 20 last year but he was convicted unanimously by a jury on December 7 after a trial. He will spend a minimum of 22 years behind bars after being jailed for life.
A total of 288 days will be deducted from the time that he actually spends in prison because of his days in custody on remand.
Feve’s accomplice, Robert Wattam, 24, of School Houses, Broughton, also denied murder and he was cleared of that charge but he was convicted unanimously of manslaughter. He was jailed for 12 years for the manslaughter, with a consecutive three years for drugs offences, making 15 years in all.
Kian Feve and Wattam both pleaded guilty to being concerned in supplying heroin and cocaine between March 14 and 21 as well as possessing cocaine with intent to supply on March 20.
Judge John Thackray KC said that Kian Feve and Wattam had set themselves up as drug dealers in the Grimsby area, supplying them from Scunthorpe. “You were working together as street dealers and, no doubt, adding to the devastation and misery caused by the supply of drugs on the streets of Grimsby,” said Judge Thackray.
“This case being a stark reminder of the destruction of lives and communities caused by Class A drugs.” Mr Howes arranged to meet Kian Feve and Wattam at about midnight to buy drugs. “It is very likely that he and perhaps others had planned to threaten force in order to steal your drugs,” said Judge Thackray. “Within a very short space of time having met up, an altercation developed.
“Jack Howes was stabbed twice to the front of his body by you, Kian Feve. You used the knife that you were carrying routinely in readiness should anyone attempt to steal your drugs. You made two deliberate and forceful blows with the knife, which was later recovered. You did not necessarily intend to cause the horrific abdominal wound but you did intend a wound and you are responsible for his death and the undoubted distress, pain and panic he experienced before losing consciousness.
“He must have been terrified. Jack Howes was a user of drugs but that does not make his life worth any less than anyone else and does not remotely justify what happened to him. He did not deserve to die, not to die such a violent and terrifying death, and his death is as tragic and unnecessary as that of anybody who is murdered. His loved ones will never recover from his death.”
The jury’s verdict on Wattam meant that it had decided that he did not intend that Kian Feve would use the knife to inflict harm. Wattam did not assist or encourage the use of the knife but he inevitably knew that Feve was carrying it to ward off attempts to steal drugs they were jointly supplying.
Kian Feve, wearing a dark suit, white shirt and red tie, and Wattam, wearing a white polo shirt and a pendant, both showed no emotion as they walked out of the secure dock to be taken down to the cells.
There were shouts of “Love you, Kian” and “Keep your head up, Kian” from the public gallery. Both men nodded to their supporters in the public gallery.
Feve’s stepfather, Darren Feve, 55, of Southfield Road, Scunthorpe, denied perverting the course of justice on March 23 last year by telling the police that his stepson was at the family home at the time of the incident involving Mr Howes but he was convicted on a majority verdict of 11 to one.
Judge Thackray said of Darren Feve: “An immediate custodial sentence would have a devastating effect upon you and your family.” He could be rehabilitated in the community and his risk could be managed in the community.
Darren Feve, wearing a blue jumper and jeans, was given a one-year suspended prison sentence and 200 hours’ unpaid. He showed no emotion but there were claps from his supporters in the public gallery.
Two jurors who sat on the trial returned to court for the sentencing hearing.
Kian Feve had convictions for five previous offences, including possessing heroin and Ecstasy with intent to supply and attempting to possess cocaine with intent to supply. He was in breach of a one-year suspended prison sentence imposed on November 12, 2022.
Wattam had convictions for 10 previous offences, including five of driving over the drugs limit, possessing drugs and, most recently in May last year, driving while disqualified.
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Darren Feve had no previous convictions but had cautions in 2006 for assault causing actual bodily harm and 2007 for criminal damage.
The prosecution claimed during the trial that Kian Feve and Wattam were dealers in heroin and crack cocaine and that Mr Howes agreed late on March 19 to meet them in Grimsby to buy drugs. An argument broke out and Mr Howes ran off but he was said to have slipped before being attacked by Feve and Wattam in the early hours of March 20.
He was kicked as he lay on the ground and he was stabbed twice in the chest and abdomen, causing “catastrophic” injuries, it was claimed. Mr Howes managed to flee from the scene but he collapsed a short distance away.
An ambulance was called. A local resident said that it was “like something out of a horror movie”. Mr Howes died in hospital at 2.30am on March 20. Two knives were later found at a woman’s home in Haycroft Street.
The prosecution claimed that Mr Howes was attacked because he “disrespected” two dealers and they brutally “taught him a lesson”.
Original artice: https://www.grimsbytelegraph.co.uk/all-about/scunthorpe