A 13-year-old boy was yesterday, Friday, 10 April sentenced at the Old Bailey to serve a minimum term of 11-years’ imprisonment, for the murder of Christopher John “Jack” Barry in The Broadway, N9 in December 2014
He pleaded guilty at the same court on 11 March.
Mr Barry was returning home with his partner, Sabrina and was trying to gain entry to the communal area of their block of flats when they were approached by five teenage boys who were trying to get into a party in another flat in the block.
Mr Barry refused them entry and an argument ensued which culminated in Mr Barry being fatally stabbed by one of the boys.
Police were called on Sunday, 14 December, 2014 at approximately 19:50hrs to the address in The Broadway, N9 by the London Ambulance Service to reports of a man stabbed.
Officers and London’s Air Ambulance attended the scene. Mr Barry, aged 53, was pronounced dead at the scene at 20:37hrs.
A post-mortem examination that took place on 15 December gave cause of death as a stab wound to the chest.
Four other teenaged boys were arrested in connection with this investigation.
Three 14-year-olds [A], [B] and [D] and [C] a 13-year-old were released with no further action in relation to the murder.
Detective Inspector Andy Kelly from the Met Police’s Homicide and Major Crimes Command said:
“This is an appallingly tragic incident which demonstrates the dangers of carrying a knife. It shows how in an instant a minor argument over access to a communal door can escalate into a horrendous crime with long-lasting consequences for all the families involved.
“This event has robbed the family of Mr Barry of a much loved, partner, and brother.”
Victim Impact Statement submitted by Mr Barry’s partner’s Sabrina said:
“Jack was a quiet, caring and hardworking man who I have known for four years. Jack’s death has brought untold stress and heartbreak to me, my mum, my sister, to his mother and brothers, his uncle and all his family in Ireland and his many friends.
“The friends and family of all those mentioned were also affected by this tragic news. This was apparent at the funeral which 600 people attended. I still find it difficult to believe he is dead and find myself waiting for him to come home from work every evening.
“Due to the nature of Jack’s death I had to leave my home and move back to my mum’s flat as I could not stay at Brickland court with the awful memories it will always hold of the evening Jack died. I have only recently moved to a new flat but it is not suitable for my needs as I find it difficult to access with my disability as there are 33 steps and no lift.
“I miss my friends, my neighbours and the flat that was my home for the past eight years.
“It was a home that Jack and I put a lot of time and money into for the future we thought we would have together.
“Jack’s murder had a huge emotional impact on my life. I am now very anxious when going out, particularly when I see groups of young people wearing hoodies in the street. I feel very vulnerable. I also feel anxious about possibly seeing the boy who murdered jack and bumping into him one day.
“I am not sleeping well and wake up in the night remembering the awful way Jack died, realising that I’m on my own again and feeling very frightened and lonely.
“I am back at work now and although I walk, talk and look the same as before, inside I am tired and my heart is broke. Jack and I had four happy years together ad this young boy has taken that happiness away from me and for that I am very sad and angry as my life will never be the same again.
“Jack saved my life last year when I had a serious medical condition which required emergency surgery. Unfortunately I could not do the same for him. Rest in peace Jack.”