Man jailed for 'cowardly' stabbing murder

Brandon Thompson was "intent on revenge" when he took a kitchen knife from a rented apartment before the stabbing, a judge said

A man who stabbed another man to death in a "cowardly" attack has been jailed for 23 years.

Kamil Milczarczyk, 24, was on a night out with a group of friends in Hull city centre on 24 March 2023, when he died of "catastrophic" blood loss after he was knifed in the chest by Brandon Thompson, 23, following a large altercation on Princes Dock Street, prosecutors said.

Thompson, of Clanthorpe, Hull, denied murder but was found guilty last month. He had previously admitted a charge of violent disorder.

Ten other men including a former Hull FC academy player, who were all acquitted of manslaughter, were also sentenced at Hull Crown Court after pleading guilty to violent disorder.

Passing sentence, Judge John Thackray KC said Mr Milczarczyk had "posed no threat".

"Unlike some of his friends, he was entirely innocent in all of this from beginning to end. It was a wicked and cowardly act," he said.

Mr Milczarczyk died in hospital after he was fatally stabbed by Thompson and then kicked and punched 11 times by another man, Harry Price.

He was found lying in the street just before 23:30 GMT. Mr Milczarczyk was taken to hospital but later died.

A video showing photographs of Kamil Milczarczyk were played in court after his siblings paid tribute to "a wonderful" brother

Earlier that night, Corey Burrows, Jack Briggs, and Safwan Sharif had an "innocuous" encounter with a number of Mr Milczarczyk's friends at Silver's Bar on Silver Street.

A confrontation with the group followed outside shortly afterwards, which led to Briggs calling Henri Hairsine, who then mobilised the rest of the gang - with Thompson picking up a kitchen knife from a rented apartment - to exact "revenge", the court heard.

The gang later approached Mr Milczarczyk's group and attacked the 24-year-old.

Following the stabbing, the suspects were caught on CCTV fleeing from the scene with some entering a property in Grimston Street before leaving in a number of vehicles.

Thompson was captured on CCTV with a knife in his hand during the attack and later threw it into the water surrounding Princes Quay shopping centre.

The prosecution said the defendants were in a Snapchat group chat named "Oysters", in which one of them, Harry Price, gave "almost a running commentary to the others as to the police activity".

About an hour after the stabbing, another defendant - Andrew Smith - sent a series of messages in which he told the group: "Bro, can't let all the boys get locked up for that".

To which, Thompson replied: "We're all going to get locked up no matter what."

In court, Mr Milczarczyk's family read out a statement describing him as "a wonderful person. He infected everyone with his smile and positive attitude to life".

"Since my brother was brutally murdered, my life has become unrecognisable.

"I have lost not only my brother but also my best friend and a pillar of support in my life.

"His loss has left an indelible mark on all of us, which we will feel for the rest of our lives."

They paid tribute to "an honest, kind and respectful" brother, before showing photographs of him in court.

Ten other men including former Hull FC academy player Mason Opie-Palmer received custodial sentences between 22 and 32 months

The remaining sentences passed at Hull Crown Court were:

• Tyler Ridley, 19, of Lisset Grove, Hull - 22 months but due to be released after serving that time in custody on remand

• Corey Burrows, 20, of 1st Avenue, Hull - 24 months but due to be released after serving that time in custody on remand

• Andrew Smith, 24, of Little Moor Close, North Cave - 32 months but due to be released after serving that time in custody on remand

• Jack Briggs, 23, of Holtby Avenue, Cottingham - 27 months but due to be released after serving that time in custody on remand

• Harry Price, 19, of Skelton Avenue, Hull - 24 months suspended and 150 hours unpaid work

• Henri Hairsine, 23, of 5th Avenue, Hull - 24 months suspended and 150 hours unpaid work

• Bradley Moyo, 19, of Easterwood Close, Hull - 24 months suspended and 150 hours unpaid work

• Safwan Sharif, 19, of Needlers Close, Hull - 22 months suspended and 150 hours unpaid work

• Mason Opie-Palmer, 20, of Dawnay Drive, Hull - 24 months suspended and 150 hours unpaid work

• Harvey Rimmington, 21, of Aston Hall Drive, North Ferriby - 21 months suspended and 150 hours unpaid work

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