Man convicted of killing promising footballer at Birmingham house party

A man who stabbed a talented young footballer to death with a Rambo knife at a house party is facing jail after being found guilty of manslaughter.

Ashley Day, 20, - who had "excelled" at Newport County's academy - was knifed at a flat in Digbeth, Birmingham on June 29. A court heard he had hired the flat on Bradford Street to host a party to celebrate finishing college and getting a place at Brunel University in London. But following noise complaints in the early hours, Ashley started to ask people to leave the property before getting into a row with 18-year-old Gurveer Bhandal. The pair only knew each other through mutual friends but the situation escalated, resulting in Bhandal 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.

Yesterday (Wednesday, November 29) he was cleared of murder but found guilty of manslaughter as well as possession of a bladed article following a trial at Birmingham Crown Court.

Bhandal, now aged 19, of Wombourne, Staffordshire, will be sentenced on January 5.

Following the verdicts, Ashley’s family released a touching 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. Ashley was held in high regard by all who met him, and he will be deeply missed by all.

"Ashley was brought up as a Christian, received Holy Communion and was baptised. He was a great big brother and protector of his younger brother, Leon. He was raised by his wonderful mother, Immaculate Day, who gave him the freedom to experience life to the fullest.

"He was very passionate about football and excelled at Newport football academy, and also had a great love for music. He was highly intelligent and was excited to start his undergraduate degree at Brunel university this year.

"Ashley was a very loving boy. Anyone who knew him will tell you how he exuded joy and happiness and always wanted the best for everybody. He hated violence and was always the first peacemaker. His smile was infectious, and his sense of humour was out of this world.

"Our hearts are bleeding for our model son. The agony of losing a child/brother is indescribable and the pain is insurmountable, however, fond memories of Ashley will never fade, and he will forever be close to our hearts. Farewell, beautiful Ashley, your stars go down to shine upon some further shore and you will be loved forevermore.”

Detective Inspector Jim Mahon, of West Midlands Police, said after the case: “Ashley was an intelligent, popular and bright young man.

"He had hosted a party for friends and acquaintances . He should never have come to harm as he was living the life of a young person with the world at his feet. Someone bought a 22 cm knife to the party. Whilst it has never been proved who did, the dangers of having this knife present has become evident from this case. “Ashley’s family have had to endure hearing the case in court. They have handled themselves with respect and decency throughout. The witnesses in the case were young and extremely traumatised by what they saw.

"I want to thank the bravery in them coming to court and giving evidence. Without them the case would have been challenging to present to a jury. Two young men have lost lives as a result of this. The suspect will now spend a substantial period of time in prison and lose a significant portion of his young life. “We hope that Ashley’s family have seen justice served and our thoughts remain firmly with them as they continue to grieve for their brother, child and loved family member.”