Brighton man's killer jailed for ten years

A man has been jailed for ten years after stabbing another man to death in a flat in Brighton.

Adam White, 22, of Bedford Place, Liverpool, was sentenced at Lewes Crown Court today (Thursday 3 January) for manslaughter.

He stabbed 39-year-old widower Jeff Burrows in Norfolk Square, Brighton, in April last year.

A jury found White not guilty of murder but guilty of manslaughter on Thursday 29 November after a 14-day trial.

Joel Elliott, 22, of North Road, Brighton, was found not guilty of murder.

The emergency services were called to Mr Burrows’s Norfolk Square flat at 7.40pm on Sunday 29 April.

Jeff Burrows was treated by paramedics from the South East Coast Ambulance Service at the scene but died there shortly after 9pm.

A post-mortem examination on Monday 30 April confirmed that the cause of death was stabbing.

When White was convicted Detective Superintendent Nick Sloan, who headed the Surrey and Sussex Major Crime Team investigation into the case, said: “This tragic death stemmed from a trivial dispute about drugs and a stolen scooter.

“My officers and staff carried out a very professional, meticulous investigation which quickly identified White and enabled us to arrest him in Liverpool.

“Our thoughts are very much with Jeffery’s family, who sat through the trial with great dignity, hearing very distressing evidence about the way in which their loved one was killed.”

His father, David Burrows, who together with the victim’s brother, Ian, both from Northern Ireland, attended the whole trial, said after the jury returned its verdict: “Our heartfelt thanks go to the police for an extremely professional investigation into the matter and in bringing the perpetrator of this cowardly and dastardly deed to court.

“We are still deeply shocked and distressed that Jeff has been taken from us in this way.

“He was a much-loved son and brother. During our time in Brighton over the last few months we have seen evidence that he was also a very popular man.

“We would also like to thank all his friends for their support during this difficult time.

“Jeff is and will always be sadly missed, especially that cheeky and mischievous smile of his.”

Sussex Police issued a photograph of White and CCTV footage of him in a nearby bar shortly after Mr Burrows’s death. They can be viewed on YouTube.