The human cost of knife crime on Yorkshire’s streets

In 2018 a total of 21 people from across Yorkshire lost their lives when they became victims of knife crime.

They include a 15-year-old boy who was stabbed to death with the knife he was carrying, a young mother, and a helpless pensioner who was stabbed more than 70 times during a burglary at her own home.

Here the Yorkshire Post takes a look back at some of the devastating crimes in the last 18 months and pays tribute to the victims of knife crime.

Jamie Brown, 17

Jamie Brown was fatally stabbed in the stomach following a Halloween party in East Park Road, Halifax on October 27, last year.

A 17-year-old boy, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was found guilty of his murder following a trial earlier this year. Two other youths - one aged 15 and the other aged 17 - were also found guilty of violent disorder.

A 16-year-old male had already pleaded guilty to wounding with intent and violent disorder in relation to the incident and, during the trial, another 17-year-old pleaded guilty to violent disorder.

The teenagers will be sentenced at Leeds Crown Court on July 12.

Sam Baker, 15

Sam Baker was stabbed to death in Lowedges Road, Lowedges, Sheffield, with a knife he had been carrying himself on May 24, last year. His football coach Corey Hill described him as a "happy-go-lucky kid" who was a "hardworking player".

A 15-year-old boy, who cannot be named for legal reasons, admitted manslaughter.

He was jailed for two years and eight months.

Ryan Jowle, 19

Ryan Jowle was stabbed to death in Tannery Close, Woodhouse, in a row over drug territory on May 22, 2018.

Frank Mvila Kiongaze, 23, of Morland Road, Gleadless, was jailed for 12 years and seven months after admitting manslaughter.

Sheffield Crown Court heard that the two men struggled for control of a knife, which had been probably been Mr Jowle’s, with both seriously injured.

Kavan Brissett, 21

Kavan Brissett was attacked in an alleyway off Langset Walk, Uppperthorpe, on August 14. No one has been charged with his murder. Mr Brissett's family said they still remained in "shock and dismay" and wanted "justice". "Our hearts will never heal, but getting justice for Kavan would make us sleep a little easier," they said in a statement.

"Please, we would ask that anyone with any information to come forward and allow us to give Kavan the dignity of justice. "All information is of importance, no matter how small it may seem to you, it may help us solve this puzzle for our boy. Thank you."

Laura Huteson, 21

Hull mum Laura Huteson died from a single stab wound to the neck by her killer Jason Gaskell. Gaskell, 24, deliberately held a knife to Laura's neck while they were having sex at his home in Orchard Park, Hull, on February 27, 2018.

Gaskell, 24, was jailed for six years after he pleaded guilty to gross negligence and manslaughter. Sentencing Gaskell, Judge Jeremy Richardson QC said the 24-year-old had killed Laura while "indulging in acutely dangerous sexual conduct involving a knife" and that, although consensual, it was “bizarre and violent sado-masochistic sexual activity”. He said: "You knew that what you were doing was acutely dangerous. "You paid a terrible price. The price paid by Laura Huteson was infinitely greater. She is dead."

Fahim Hersi, 22

Fahim Hersi was killed in an attack outside Cineworld on the Valley Centertainment complex in Attercliffe, Sheffield on September 21, last year.

His killer has not yet been found.

Jarvin Blake, 22

Father-of-three Jarvin Blake was fatally stabbed in the chest in broad daylight in Brackley Street, Sheffield on March 8, last year. Despite the efforts of members of the public and paramedics at the scene he died in hospital a short time later. Jarvin was killed as a result of a turf war over drugs.

Caine Gray, 27, of Treetown Crescent, Treeton, Rotherham, was found guilty of the same offence and also jailed for life. He was ordered to serve a minimum of 19 years.

Sheffield men Josiah Foster, 26, of Wordsworth Crescent, Parson Cross and Devon Walker, 25, of Ellesmere Road North, Burngreave, were both found guilty of manslaughter and jailed for 15 years each. Lewis Barker, 27, of North Hill Road, Southey Green, Sheffield, pleaded guilty to murder and was sentenced to life and ordered to serve a minimum of 23 years behind bars.

Paige Gibson, 23

Paige Gibson died in hospital after she was found stabbed in Cumberland Close, Halifax, in the early hours of June 7. The 23-year-old was described by friends as "lovely and bubbly".

A fundraising page was set up in her memory by friends to give her "the best send-off ever" at her funeral. A 16-year-old boy, who cannot be named for legal reasons, has been charged with the murder. He has been remanded in youth custody and will appear at Bradford Crown Court on July 10.

Poppy Devey Waterhouse, 24

Poppy Devey Waterhouse was just 24 when she was murdered by the man that she loved and trusted, Joe Atkinson. The pair had been together for three years by late 2018, but had broken up at the request of Miss Devey Waterhouse, an analyst for William Hill, in October.

He attacked her at the flat they shared in Leeds on December 14, last year.

Prodigiously gifted Poppy suffered more than 100 injuries, with over 49 knife wounds including 23 to her head and neck. Atkinson, 25, was jailed for life with a minimum term of 15 years, after pleading guilty to murdering Poppy in an attack "fuelled by jealousy".

Poppy's family described her as "beautiful and brilliant" and Leeds Crown Court heard how she was the only person in William Hill's history to be given a verdict of 'remarkable' at a job appraisal during her first year.

Gareth Atkinson, 25

Gareth Atkinson died from a single stab wound to the neck following a long-standing dispute with Ashley King over two women. Police were called to the communal flats area in Bentley Street, Huddersfield at around 11pm on May 8, last year, where Gareth was found fatally injured.

King, 29, fled the scene and hid at a house, until he was arrested by police two days later. The 29-year-old was found guilty of Gareth's murder following a 10-day trial at Leeds Crown Court and sentenced to 17 years in prison. In a statement, Gareth's family said: "As a result of the actions of one individual, our family’s lives dramatically changed.

“Our loss is immense and is also not only felt by ‘us’ Gaz’s closest relatives, but also by the many friends and colleagues he had. The support of Gaz’s many friends has been extremely comforting to us and we wish to thank them all for their continued love and support which has and continues to be invaluable.

“The loss of Gaz is forever, that is our sentence and there isn’t a day that passes that we don’t miss and long for his company."

Maksym Polomka, 30

Maksym Polomka, 30, was stabbed to death in the street during a drunken fight at a Christmas Day party in Beeston, last year.

He died in the early hours of the morning after the alleged attack in which he suffered multiple wounds to his head, neck and body.

Leeds Crown Court heard how the 30-year-old suffered fatal injuries when violence erupted at the house in Beeston after he argued with his girlfriend.

Tomasz Dybicz, 29, and Pawel Stragowski, 28, pleaded not guilty to Maksym's murder and are currently on trial at Leeds Crown Court.

Gavin Singleton, 31

Gavin Singleton was stabbed to death in an attack in Hillsborough, last September.

His killer Danny Trotter, 24, of no fixed abode, was found guilty of his murder and locked up for a minimum of 22 years.

St John Lewis, 47

St John Lewis died following an incident in Broadlea Terrace, Bramley on Tuesday, February 26. His father described him as a gentleman who was "always very keen to help people".

Mr Lewis worked as a chef at a pizza takeaway in Leeds and doted on his three dogs, Charlie, Delta and Luna. Speaking after his son's death, he said: "He was such a nice guy and I loved him so much."

Dean Anthony Dagless, of Broadlea Terrace, Bramley, has been charged with the murder of Mr Lewis. He pleaded not guilty to murder and possession of an offensive weapon. A trial date has been set to take place on July 8 at Leeds Crown Court.

Glenn Boardman, 59

Glenn Boardman was stabbed to death by his neighbour in an attack last June.

Michael Goddard, 51, of Steven Close, Chapeltown, Sheffield, was jailed for a minimum of 24 years after being convicted of his murder.

Jill Hibberd, 73

Jill Hibberd was stabbed 70 times in her home in Roy Kilner Way, Wombwell, Barnsley, during a burglary on May 30, last year.

Lee Fueloep, 40, was jailed for life for her murder and ordered to serve a minimum of 35 years behind bars.