A teenager from south London has been handed a life sentence for the murder of 18-year-old Ben Moncrieff in the centre of Bath earlier this year.
Ben was fatally stabbed outside the McDonald’s restaurant in the city centre | Photo provided by Ben’s family
The 16-year-old, who can’t be legally named as he is a juvenile, stabbed Ben once during the early hours of Saturday 6th May.
Tragically Ben died of his injuries at the scene in the Southgate area of the city, despite the efforts of medics and passers-by trying to help.
The teenage offender was found guilty of murder after a trial in October and was remanded ahead of sentencing yesterday, Wednesday 6th December.
He was given a life sentence with a minimum 15 year term at Bristol Crown Court.
His Honour Judge Peter Blair KC said that given the devastating impact on Ben’s family and friends and the communities of Bath, no sentence could be considered long enough.
He stressed that the defendant had gone out with a knife, while Ben’s hands were empty.
Ben’s mother Sharon Hendry read an emotional personal statement to the court.
She said: “Ben filled our home with his friends, laughter, and made our home a happy place, full of life.”
She described him getting ready and going for a rare night out with his girlfriend and then rushing to his side after getting the call that he had been stabbed.
Sharon said: “I did not have the chance to hold Ben and tell him how much I love him. I was too late, I couldn’t comfort Ben. A mum’s worst nightmare.
“Ben’s room stays just as he left it … I go into Ben’s room every day to think of the memories that I have.”
She described seeing Ben in the mortuary and the ongoing physical and mental impact of her loss, adding “I feel totally destroyed and now have a life sentence without Ben.”
The scene at Southgate Street and St James’s Parade – Photo © Joe Cussens | Inset: Ben Moncrieff
Senior Investigating Officer Mark Newbury said: “Ben was tragically in the wrong place at the wrong time. He was an innocent man trying to defend a friend when he was stabbed and killed.
“The defendant made a conscious decision to take a knife with him that day and attack a defenceless young man.
“It was a decision that has cost him his freedom, but more importantly one person’s life.
“The murder investigation that followed involved a large amount of police resources from across all directorates and we are pleased to have secured Ben’s loved ones the answers to the questions they so richly deserved.
“The courage his friends and family have shown ever since Ben’s death has been quite incredible and I want to personally thank them for the support they have shown us.
“Today may see the end of the court process, but their grief and pain remains raw. It is clear how loved Ben was and how much he will always be missed by those who knew him.”
