Portsmouth killer failed to show 'flicker of remorse' in fatal stabbing of Brighton dad-to-be

A PORTSMOUTH man jailed for at least 25 years for the ‘brutal’ murder of a man in broad daylight failed to show a ‘flicker of remorse,’ a judge has said.
By Ben Fishwick
Published 23rd Nov 2020, 16:13 BST
Killers Daryl Richardson and Bobby Smith near the stabbing scene. Picture: Sussex PoliceKillers Daryl Richardson and Bobby Smith near the stabbing scene. Picture: Sussex Police
Killers Daryl Richardson and Bobby Smith near the stabbing scene. Picture: Sussex Police

Daryl Richardson, 25, of Cumberland Road, was convicted with Bobby Smith of murdering Muhammed Jassey in a stabbing carried out in broad daylight in the street.

Last week a Sussex detective said police ‘have no idea what the motive was’ in the April 5 stabbing.

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But the sentencing judge, in remarks obtained by The News, said the attack on 26-year-old Mr Jassey in Brighton was ‘likely’ a robbery.

Judge Jeremy Gold QC said Smith played the role of ‘junior partner in this joint enterprise’.

Sentencing, judge Gold said: ‘Neither of you has told the truth about why you attacked him but, on the evidence before the court, it seems that the most likely explanation is that this was a robbery.’

Drug dealer Richardson was handed a life term with a 25-year minimum to be served in jail while Smith, 22, of Coolham Drive, Brighton, was handed life with a minimum of 24 years.

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Portsmouth man Daryl Richardson jailed for life for murder
Bobby Smith, left, and Daryl Richardson, right, have been jailed for life for the murder of Muhammed Jassey. Picture: Sussex PoliceBobby Smith, left, and Daryl Richardson, right, have been jailed for life for the murder of Muhammed Jassey. Picture: Sussex Police
Bobby Smith, left, and Daryl Richardson, right, have been jailed for life for the murder of Muhammed Jassey. Picture: Sussex Police
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The pair were then sentenced to life imprisonment, with Richardson given a minimum term of 25 years behind bars. Smith must serve 24.

Mr Jassey died of a single stab wound to the heart but it is not known who dealt the fatal blow.

Judge Gold said both men ‘bear equal responsibility for his death’ as they were convicted of the joint enterprise murder.

Sentencing, the judge said: ‘Your victim... was 26 years of age and about to become a father at the time he was killed.

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‘I’ve read statements from his parents and the mother of his daughter who miss him desperately and are left grief-stricken as a result of his murder.’

The judge also revealed Richardson has a ‘significant record’ of previous crimes. This includes robbery, having a knife and other violence.

As reported, Brighton Crown Court heard that the attack was witnessed by three people, and caught on CCTV, police said.

The victim’s blood was found on clothing owned by both men. CCTV showed Richardson and Smith together in the Lidl supermarket off Eastern Road, Brighton, minutes before the stabbing in Whitehawk Road, wearing clothing identified as the same with the blood on.

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Richardson admitted being at the scene. Smith denied being the second man caught on CCTV when Jassey was stabbed.

Richardson, who was handed three years concurrent after admitting possession with intent to supply class A, was told by the judge ‘there is no mitigation’ to reduce his sentence.

Smith could have faced a harsher sentence due to his ‘even worse’ record but was adjusted due to his ‘unhappy childhood’ revealed in a psychiatrist’s report. It was further changed as he played a junior role.

Both men denied the murder.

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