Man given jail sentence for manslaughter of Jordan Brophy

Karl Townsend has today, Friday, August 5, been jailed for 19 years in relation to the death of 31-year-old Jordan Brophy in Halewood last year.

At around 6.30pm on Friday, October 29, officers were called to a property on Beechwood Avenue to reports that Mr Brophy had been stabbed. He was taken to hospital where he sadly passed away.

A Home Office Post Mortem has confirmed that he died of stab wounds.

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Within two days of the incident, police had arrested six men and taken them into custody for questioning.

Two men, Karl Townsend, now 32, and Jamie Cunningham, now 23, from Halewood, were later charged.

In May, a jury found Jamie Cunningham not guilty of murder, but could not reach a verdict against Townsend.

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The jury convicted Townsend of possession of a knife, but he faced a re-trial for murder.

Cunningham later admitted possession of a knife.

Yesterday, a jury at Liverpool Crown Court convicted Townsend of Category A manslaughter and possession of a bladed article. He has now been sentenced to 19 years in prison.

Cunningham was sentenced to two years community service for possession of a bladed article, plus the six months in prison he has already served.

Jordan Brophy

In a victim personal statement read out by Jordan’s mother to court, she said: “It is not in God’s plan for a mother to lose her child. I am not living nor will I ever feel like I am. Some days I barely exist…The holidays, the family gatherings the 100 texts and phone calls a day have been taken away from me and all I am left with are memories and photographs. As a whole family, we have been torn apart.”

Liverpool Crown Court (Image: Stock)

Commenting after the sentencing, Detective Inspector Sue Hinds said:  “While no result can repair the pain and grief Jordan’s family have endured, I hope that they can experience some closure in knowing that Townsend and Cunningham are now behind bars.

“I hope that they will both reflect on the significant harm that they have caused, while serving their time in jail.

“I’d like to thank Jordan’s family for their strength and dignity throughout this difficult process, particularly after they were put through the ordeal of a trial. I’d also like to recognise the dedication and hard work of our investigation team, prosecuting counsel and CPS in ensuring this successful outcome.

“Jordan’s death is a cruel and tragic reminder of the lasting devastation that knife crime can cause in our communities on Merseyside. Our message to those who might think about carrying a knife is clear: It is just not worth the risk. Every day we are out on patrols, conducting stop searches, executing warrants, putting every effort into arresting offenders and putting them before the courts. 
 
“We regularly search land and homes where we believe knives have been stored and if you involve yourself in knife crime, it is only a matter of time before you end up arrested by police.

“Tackling knife crime isn’t something that we can do alone and we need the public to help us take dangerous weapons out of circulation. If you have any information on knife crime in your area please contact police so we can continue to keep our streets safe.”

Anyone with any information on weapons being stored, carried or used is asked to always call 999 if a crime is in progress. You can also pass on non-urgent information via our social media desk via Twitter @MerPolCC or Facebook ‘Merseyside Police Contact Centre’

You can also contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111, or their online form: Give information | Crimestoppers (crimestoppers-uk.org)

ENDS