Man jailed for murdering peacemaker stabbed in fight

Victor-Eduard Raja came to the scene carrying a knife

A man has been jailed for life for murdering a peacemaker who was stabbed while trying to break up a fight.

Sidney Palmer, 59, died after sustaining a single stab wound while intervening in the dispute in Leicester city centre in September.

A total of four people were convicted in relation to his death.

Victor-Eduard Raja, who was found guilty of murder on 5 June following a trial at Leicester Crown Court, will serve a minimum of 25 years and six months in prison.

Leicestershire Police said a fight broke out between Nathan Pritchard and another man in Conduit Street at about 18:15 BST on 30 September.

Pritchard was then punched by a different man outside a shop in London Road in retaliation.

Back in Conduit Street, police said Pritchard challenged the first man and called Michael Boleyn, who threatened the same man at about 19:00.

Raja then received a call from Boleyn and made his way to the scene - carrying a knife.

Prosecutors believed Raja was instructed by Pritchard to attack an associate of the person he had been arguing with.

Raja saw the man and a fight started with Raja "violently punching him", police said.

From left to right: Diana Bodrug, Nathan Pritchard and Michael Boleyn

Several people nearby intervened - one of which was Mr Palmer, who tried to pull Raja away.

CCTV showed 25-year-old Raja brandishing the knife and swinging towards Mr Palmer, missing once before striking him with a single stab wound to the chest.

Mr Palmer was taken to hospital, where he died a short time later.

Prior to the trial, Pritchard, 29, of Conduit Street, pleaded guilty to manslaughter and Diana Bodrug, 49, of Melton Road, Syston, admitted assisting an offender.

Boleyn, 31, of Great Central Way, Leicester pleaded not guilty to manslaughter, however a jury convicted him in June.

On Monday, Boleyn was jailed for eight years, Prichard for six years and Bodrug was sentenced to two years and six months in prison.

'He was trying to help'

Leanne Palmer, the daughter of Mr Palmer - who was known as Sid - said the impact of her father's murder had been "unreal".

"I’ve always been a daddy’s girl. He finally came back to Leicester, and I was so happy, but quickly that happiness turned to sadness when the news of what happened was broken to me," she said.

"The last time I spoke to my dad we had an argument; this was just days before he was killed, and we never got chance to make up properly.

"My partner and children have to watch me break down daily because all I want is my dad back."

Officers traced a number of people involved in the stabbing

Mr Palmer's brother, Jon Palmer, added: "He died in the most tragic circumstances when all he was trying to help, which shows what type of person he really was."

Det Ch Insp Mark Sinski, who was the senior investigating officer, said: "This was a tragic loss of life of a popular man, who was only trying to act as a peacemaker and stop the initial fight taking place.

"Sidney was a well-known and loved man and his death has understandably had a devastating effect on his family and friends."

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