Promising boxer Connor Brown was trying to protect members of the public when vengeful Leighton Barrass threatened to stab people with a Joker-style knife.
But he paid for it with his life when Barrass knifed him five times last February.
Newcastle Crown Court heard how 18-year-old Connor had been out with friends in Sunderland when they were approached in a busy alleyway by Barrass and Ally Gordon, both 20, – who Connor knew from school.
Trouble flared between Connor’s friend, Stephen Nunn, and Barrass after Barrass was said to have short-changed him after asking to swap a £10 note for two £5 notes.
Prosecutors said Barrass returned armed with a spring-loaded knife and threatened to stab “any one” of the people in the alley.
As people backed away Connor stepped forward to confront Barrass and punched him. But he paid for his bravery with his life when Barrass turned his knife on him.
Jurors convicted Barrass of murder while Ally Gordon was cleared of murder but found guilty of manslaughter.
Barrass, of Hartside Square, Sunderland, has been jailed for life while Gordon, of Polmuir Road, Plains Farm, Sunderland, was locked up for three-and-a-half years.
Find out more about the Knife Angel, here.
