Pair convicted of Connor Brown killing after teenager stabbed to death

Leighton Barrass and Ally Gordon, both 20, face a significant time behind bars after acting as a team to fatally attack Connor Brown following a night out in Sunderland earlier this year.

Barrass and Gordon together on the night of the killing

Mr Brown, 18, suffered five stab wounds during a violent altercation behind The Borough Pub in the early hours of February 24 this year.

After a row over £5, Barrass pulled out a knife and stabbed his victim multiple times as his co-accused Gordon kicked and stamped on Mr Brown as he struggled to protect himself.

Today, following a four-week trial at Newcastle Crown Court, Barrass, of Hartside Square, was found guilty of murder by a jury.

Gordon, of Polmuir Road, Sunderland, was found guilty of manslaughter.

They will be sentenced tomorrow.

Detective Superintendent John Bent, of Northumbria Police, said: “This tragedy has devastated Connor’s family, friends, and the wider community of Sunderland.

“The outpouring of grief in the days and weeks after Connor’s death highlighted just how popular he was. He had everything to live for.

The alleyway behind The Borough Pub where Connor Brown was fatally stabbed. Picture: Connor Brown

Police mark evidence at the crime scene where Connor Brown was fatally stabbed. Picture: Northumbria Police

A police cordon at the crime scene where Connor Brown was fatally stabbed. Picture: Northumbria Police

“A team of detectives worked tirelessly on this case to bring the two defendants responsible for his murder to justice. The significant investigation even involved travelling to Scotland in the days after the stabbing to locate Gordon, who had left the area, and bring him into custody.

“I would like to thank Connor’s family for their incredible bravery and support over the last ten months.

"I sincerely hope today’s outcome provides some justice for them as they continue their grieving process.

“I also hope this case acts as a reminder to the communities we serve that carrying a knife, under any circumstances, is totally unacceptable and we are committed to ensuring action is taken against anybody found to have carried a weapon."

Leighton Barrass

The court was told Mr Brown initially rowed with Barrass and Gordon after they had tried to sell he and a friend drugs following a night out in Sunderland.

A short time later, Barrass threatened Mr Brown and a group of his friends with a knife, claiming he “would stab any one of them”.

Barrass then stabbed his victim five times as Gordon joined in the attack by kicking and stamping on the teenager.

Ally Gordon 

After those nearby learned the extent of Mr Brown’s injuries, Barrass fled the scene but was apprehended by doorstaff who were working in the city centre and had been alerted to the attack.

Police arrested Barrass near the alleyway where Mr Brown died, and after becoming aware of Gordon’s involvement, officers tracked the second defendant down and detained him in Scotland.

Barrass and Gordon were both charged with murder, which they denied, and the case was heard in a month-long trial at Newcastle Crown Court.

A jury found Barrass guilty of murder, while Gordon was found not guilty of murder but guilty of manslaughter.

Connor Brown who was fatally stabbed during a night out in Sunderland. Picture: Northumbria Police

Following the pair’s conviction, Mr Brown’s parents issued a heartfelt tribute to their son and claimed there are “no winners” following this case.

In a statement, they said: “Connor was the most wonderful son that any parents could have wished for. He lit up every room he walked in to, his smile was infectious and he was loved by so many people.

“Over the last four weeks, instead of looking forward to Christmas as a family, we have been sat in a court room forced to re-live the events of that tragic night which saw Connor cruelly taken away from us.

“The two defendants have shown little remorse for their actions, and while their conviction today brings some comfort to us knowing that justice has been served, there are no winners. Nothing can bring Connor back, and that is the sobering reality that we face.

“The last ten months have been so difficult for everybody, for the family, for Connor’s friends, his colleagues and everybody who knew him. He had so much to live for.

“We cannot put into words the kindness and generosity that the community has shown to our family since Connor’s death. The outpouring of emotion shows what a special person Connor truly was and has reminded us all that Sunderland does have a heart.

“We stand here today because of the stupidity of two people. Their decisions that night have ruined not only our lives, but their own as well. They have caused pain and suffering to so many.

“We hope that if any lessons can be learnt from Connor’s death, it’s that there can never a good reason for carrying a knife, under any circumstances.”

Following the case, Det Supt Bent wanted to reaffirm that Sunderland remained a safe place to live, work and visit.

He added: “I appreciate people will understandably be concerned about the events that night and I want to reiterate that Sunderland remains a safe city.

“Such incidents in the city centre are very rare and we are committed to working with our partners to tackle serious and violent crime.

“This includes educating people about the dangers of carrying weapons and working with door staff and licensees to identify individuals who are believed to be carrying knives so we can take positive action.”