Ashley Day death: teen jailed for killing footballer at Digbeth, Birmingham house party

A teenager has been jailed for killing a man at a house party in Digbeth in June last year. 

Gurveer Bhandal, 19, from Giggety Lane in Wombourne, was sentenced to 13 years at Birmingham Crown Court today (15 January) for fatally stabbing 20-year-old Ashley Day.  

The talented young football player, who previously played for Newport County's academy, had rented an apartment in Digbeth to celebrate being accepted onto a degree course at university. Over two nights, Tuesday 27 and Wednesday 28 June, he held a party at Bradford Street and invited his friends to help him celebrate.

On Wednesday 28 June a mutual friend of his invited Bhandal to the party, an invite that would ultimately lead to tragedy. Following noise complaints in the early hours of Thursday 29 June, Ashley started to ask people to leave. A court heard he got into row with Bhandal before the situation escalated, resulting in the teen stabbing Ashley three times in the chest and once in the back.

CCTV captured Bhandal running from the flat and discarded the knife, which was later found in a nearby construction site, on June 29 last year.

The 20-year-old pleaded his innocence at trial in November, saying that he stabbed Ashley in self-defence.  He was found not guilty of murder, but guilty of manslaughter. At the time of his conviction, Ashley’s family issued a tribute to their “loving boy”. They said: “Ashley will be remembered for his joyous smile that always lit up the rooms he entered.    “His kind, caring and compassionate nature was shown through his warm love for his family and friends. Ashley was happiness. His well-mannered, warm aura always made you feel at ease whenever you were around him.     “Farewell, beautiful Ashley, your stars go down to shine upon some further shore and you will be loved forevermore.”

What has West Midlands Police said about the case?

Detective Chief Inspector Laura Harrison from the homicide team, said: “Ashley was a well-liked, bright and popular young man who was very much looking forward to the future. 

“He wanted to celebrate achieving his place at university by hosting a party with friends but what should have been a joyous occasion turned to tragedy. This has had a devastating effect on Ashley’s family but they have conducted themselves with respect and dignity throughout.

“Our thoughts remain with them as they continue to come to terms with their loss.”