Brothers jailed over attack on 'hero' veteran

Cleveland McEntee, Leon Woods and Tron McEntee, pictured from left to right, entered guilty pleas eight days after their trial started

Three brothers have been jailed following the fatal stabbing of a "hero" veteran who fought in Afghanistan.

Mark Barrs, 39, was knifed in the heart during a fight at The Old Hat pub in Ealing, west London, on 6 April last year.

Cleveland McEntee, 40, from White City, pleaded guilty to murder and was given a life sentence with a minimum term of 23 years.

Leon Woods, 42, from Ealing, pleaded guilty to manslaughter and was jailed for seven years and Tron McEntee, 35, from Perivale, was sentenced to 12 months in prison after he admitted violent disorder.

It comes after the men entered new pleas last week, eight days after their trial had started, which were accepted by the prosecution.

Mark Barrs, 39, was stabbed in the heart during a fight on 6 April last year

On Tuesday, victim impact statements from Mr Barrs' family were presented to the court.

His grandmother, Christine Blinco, said: "Imagine our hero made it home from Afghanistan to lose his life on a London street - that is torment that I will take to my grave."

She added: "I am completely heartbroken at the way in which our boy's life has been taken so brutally and for no real reason.

"My grandson will forever be eternally loved by not just myself but our entire family."

The victim's brother, Nicky Barrs, told the court: "My family has lost something we can never ever replace; we have a full life sentence."

Stabbed within minutes

Judge Rebecca Trowler said the fatal attack happened after tension had arisen between Mark Barrs and Woods at the pub.

"Whatever the cause of the bad feeling between the two of you, you called your two brothers and they soon each came to the Old Hat and joined you," she said to Woods.

Tron McEntee had arrived first and Cleveland McEntee had called a taxi to take him to the pub and had taken a knife with him, Judge Trowler said.

Within three minutes of them arriving and joining their brother, Mr Barrs had been stabbed, the court heard.

"Whatever happened at the bar beforehand you three were undoubtedly at this point the aggressors and a fight ensued," said Judge Trowler.

Cleveland McEntee had "lunged" with his knife and stabbed Mr Barrs in the chest, causing a fatal wound to his heart.

In mitigation for Cleveland McEntee, Lewis Power KC read a letter from the defendant to the victim's family stating: "I am truly sorry for the pain I have caused you all."

The fatal attack happened outside The Old Hat pub in Ealing

Det Ch Insp Ollie Stride, from the Met's specialist crime command, said: "This case once again highlights how carrying a knife can quickly escalate to murder.

"What started as an innocuous disagreement in a pub led to a man losing his life.

"It is shocking that a family has been left grieving due to this type of behaviour.

"All three brothers now have to face the consequences of their actions with lengthy prison sentences for their actions that day."