Akim Barton struck after row over mobile phone

Twenty year old Akim Barton of Highcliffe Drive, Roehampton has been sentenced to serve time in a young offenders' institution. He was one of a group of young men involved in the stabbing of 19 year olds Ryan Ashby and Louis Sparrow on 31 October 2013.

The two victims were on Sherfield Gardens on the Alton Estate where they were attending a Halloween house party. A fight broke out when the group including Barton approached them and grabbed a mobile phone. It was then a fight broke out which resulted in the two victims receiving stab wounds.

Mr Ashby was stabbed six times and was in hospital of over a fortnight as a result of his injuries.

Ann Mulligan, the recorder at Kingston Crown Court said that all the attackers were responsible for what happened even if Akim Barton may not have been the one to use the knife.

In court Mr Ashby's girlfriend said that Mr Barton was still kicking Mr Ashby after the stabbing when the rest of the group of attackers had left.

Mr Barton's incarceration (he will serve up to four years), was for each of two counts of wounding with intent, and two years for one count of affray, all to be served concurrently.

After the sentencing VoteRoehampton tweeted: 'Good news that Sherfield Gdns Halloween slashers from last year have been given hefty sentences. Akim Barton of Highcliffe Drive got 8 years.'

July 4, 2014