Following an investigation by Thames Valley Police’s Major Crime Unit, a man has been jailed for the manslaughter of Lewis Butler in Bletchley last year.
Abubakar Sakho, aged 18, of Pinewood Drive, Bletchley, Milton Keynes, was sentenced to seven years in prison at Luton Crown Court today (2/10).
He pleaded guilty to one count each of possession of bladed article and being concerned in the supply of a controlled drug of class A at the same court on 21 February last year. He then pleaded guilty to one count of manslaughter at the same court on 15 December last year.
At around 11pm on 17 January last year, officers were called to Buttermere Close after Lewis, aged 44, from Bletchley, had been stabbed.
Emergency services treated him at the scene for serious injuries before taking him to Milton Keynes General Hospital, where he sadly died.
A murder investigation was launched and Sakho was arrested on 18 January. He was charged on 21 January.
While on remand for the Bletchley manslaughter, Sakho was charged in relation to an assault at Feltham Prison and Young Offender Institution in Feltham, London.
He was found guilty of Section 18 grievous bodily harm with intent at the Old Bailey on 20 July.
Sakho was sentenced to a consecutive 10-year extended determinant sentence, which comprises five years in prison and an extra five years on licence, for the prison assault at today’s hearing.
Detective Inspector Nick Hind, of the Major Crime Unit, said: “This tragic case appears to have been as a result of a disagreement over a drug deal.
“The defendant went out to deal drugs armed with a knife, which he had no lawful reason to be carrying.
“During the course of the drug deal, the defendant stabbed Lewis in the abdomen before making off.
“Tragically, Lewis died of his injuries, and his death had a profound impact on his family and friends and the local community.
“I would like to pay tribute to Lewis’ family for their support of the investigation and criminal justice procedures over the past year and nine months.
“The sentencing today will never bring any closure to the family but I hope it will go some way in helping the grieving process knowing the person responsible has been jailed for Lewis’ manslaughter.
“If you carry a knife, whether or not you intend to use it, there is always a very significant risk that you will do.
“Thames Valley Police and the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner have launched Operation Deter, a tough new approach to tackling knife crime, which first launched in Milton Keynes in July last year following incidents such as Lewis’ death.
“We will not tolerate the possession of or the use of weapons and our message is clear, you will be stopped, arrested, charged and prosecuted.
“We are resolute in our determination to make our communities safer by removing knives from our streets.
“You are more likely to be injured by your own knife if you carry one, so do not become a statistic, and do not risk ending up with a criminal record or in prison by making a decision to carry a knife.
“My message to the community is if you have any information about anybody who is carrying a knife, please report this to us, either on 101 or by calling the independent charity Crimestoppers 100% anonymously on 0800 555 111.”
