Knife victim's sister 'feels' for killer's family

Becky Dustan said her brother died a hero

A knife victim's sister has told how she "feels" for the families of the killer and two other defendants.

Becky Dustan, sister of Michael Riddiough-Allen, 32, who was stabbed to death outside a nightclub in Bodmin, Cornwall, said they "have had their lives destroyed as much as we have".

Ms Dustan has created a charity called MIKES Trust (Michael’s Initiative for Knifecrime Education in Society) to try to reduce stabbing incidents.

Jake Hill, 25, has been convicted of murdering Mr Riddiough-Allen outside Eclipse Nightclub on 30 April 2023.

Michael Riddiough-Allen died trying to break up a fight

Chelsea Powell, 22, from Bodmin, was found not guilty of murder and manslaughter, but guilty of perverting the course of justice.

Tia Taylor, 22, also from Bodmin, initially denied three charges but pleaded guilty to manslaughter and perverting the course of justice.

A trial at Truro Crown Court heard that rugby player Mr Riddiough-Allen died trying to break up a fight.

Ms Dustan told BBC Radio Cornwall: "We have just spent seven weeks sitting next to the families of the defendants and I can tell you from the bottom of my heart, they are the most wonderful, caring, loving people who have had their lives destroyed as much as we have."

'It hurts'

She said they had been "dealing with their own grief of losing their loved ones because they haven't seen them since they were arrested last year".

"So I just feel for them.

"Yes, we lost Mike. And it's devastating and it hurts.

"But he died a hero, everyone's going 'Wow, what an amazing person, if he hadn't done that what else would have happened?'

"Whereas they're losing their children and everyone's turning around to them and going well, they should bring back hanging.

"I mean, how does that feel to hear that being said about your own children?

"So I really feel for them and I really would like to say that please do not blame their families. You know, they are loving, wonderful people."

The three defendants will be sentenced on 12 April.

'Grieving family'

Campaigns planned by the trust include a month-long campaign for a "blade free Bodmin".

"We want to do some sessions for local residents to come in and have a chat with us and tell us their concerns to see if there's anything we can do," said Ms Dustan.

"We're just a grieving family, we can't change the world but hopefully people will feel like they're being heard and that maybe we can move forwards."