Nottingham: Pair who stabbed man to death at city centre flat jailed

Courtney McLeary, 54 (left), and David Francis, 61, were given life sentences

Two men have been jailed after a 22-year-old was fatally stabbed at a flat in Nottingham city centre.

Davices Anderson was found injured at the junction of Huntingdon Street and Woodborough Road on 28 April last year, and died later in hospital.

Courtney McLeary, 54, and David Francis, 61, were sentenced to life imprisonment on Monday.

Gregory Bailey, Danny O'Keefe and Lisa Barlow were also sentenced for assisting an offender.

McLeary, of High Cross Leys, inflicted the fatal blow to Mr Anderson's chest while Francis, of Swale Grove, Bingham, inflicted further injuries.

Gregory Bailey, of Comyn Gardens, St Ann's, Lisa Barlow and Danny O'Keefe, both of High Cross Leys, were all given custodial sentences

Police were called to Huntingdon Street at 07:50 BST, the court heard. Mr Anderson was treated at the scene before being taken to hospital where he died of his injuries.

Barlow, who was present at the time of the attack, fled the scene with McLeary while Francis stayed "hiding in plain sight", Judge Nirmal Shant KC said during their sentencing.

McLeary has been given a life sentence with a minimum term of 19 years while Francis will have to serve at least 16 and a half years before he can apply for parole.

The court heard Lisa Barlow, who pleaded guilty to assisting an offender, "took weapons" from the scene with McLeary. Barlow was sentenced to two years in prison.

In the hours that followed Mr Anderson's murder, the defendants visited Bailey, and then went to O'Keefe's house in the following days.

O'Keefe, 50 and Bailey, 51, were both sentenced to two years in prison for assisting McLeary, Francis and Barlow.

Davices Anderson was found with stab wounds on 28 April 2023 and later died of his injuries

The judge said: "[Mr Anderson] was only 22 years old and, as we heard, he was a much-loved son, a dad, a brother and an uncle and you both cut short his life and nothing I can do to you today will ease the pain of those who must live their life without him."

During the sentence hearing, Mr Anderson's mum told the court her life "changed forever" on the day of her son's death.

She said: "The pain that's felt in our heart every day is a physical pain that never leaves."