Connor Brown death: Killer's sentence challenged by Solicitor General

At a hearing in London today, Michael Ellis QC appealed the sentence of Ally Gordon, 20, who was convicted of manslaughter after assisting in the fatal attack on the 18-year-old, in Sunderland.

Mr Ellis argued that his sentence of three years and six months’ imprisonment was too low.

In February 2019, Gordon was involved in a street fight outside a Sunderland pub. Gordon’s friend Leighton Barrass, 20, got into an argument with the victim and proceeded to stab him five times with a knife.

Connor Brown died aged 18 during a night out in Sunderland

Gordon assisted in the attack by kicking and stamping on the victim. Emergency services were unable to save the teenager and he died later in hospital.

Gordon was convicted for manslaughter and for possessing a bladed weapon, and was originally sentenced at Newcastle Crown Court in December 2019.

The court has decided to reserve its judgement.

Mr Brown, 18, suffered five stab wounds during a violent altercation behind The Borough Pub in the early hours of February 24 last year.

After a row over £5, Barrass pulled out a knife and stabbed his victim as his co-accused Ally Gordon, 20, kicked and stamped on Mr Brown as he struggled to protect himself.

Following a month-long trial at Newcastle Crown Court, Barrass, of Hartside Square, Sunderland, was found guilty of murder by a jury.

Leighton Barrass and Ally Gordon

Gordon, of Polmuir Road, Sunderland, was cleared of murder but was found guilty of manslaughter.

Both admitted a further charge of possession of a knife in a public place.

Following last year's court hearing, Detective Superintendent John Bent, of Northumbria Police, said: “The last ten months have been devastating for Connor’s family, friends and the community of Sunderland as a whole.

“We have seen an outpouring of grief across the city since Connor’s death which showed how popular he was to everybody who knew him.

“Connor’s family have shown amazing bravery and dignity during this tragic time after losing their son in the most awful of circumstances.

“I hope this case acts as a reminder to all communities we serve that carrying a knife under any circumstances is totally unacceptable and we will continue to work proactively to ensure action is taken against those found to have carried a weapon.”

In a victim impact statement read in court, Connor’s parents said it is a “daily struggle” as they try to come to terms with his death.

They said: “We as parents will never see our son married, we'll never hold his children and we will never hear his laugh or see his smile, the smile that lit up every room.

“We can only hope that lessons will have been learned from this case that it is never justified to carry a knife.

"No parent should have to suffer what we have and will continue to suffer.”