The mother of a 24-year-old man who bled to death after being stabbed in the arm during a group attack in Exmouth has spoken of her devastation after four men were jailed for his killing. Denva Smith suffered a fatal wound to his arm that severed a major artery, causing him to bleed to death in a garden in the early hours of May 31, 2025.
Life sentences for murder
Thomas Ward, 25, of Russell Walk, Exeter, and Ben Mason, 24, of no fixed address, were found guilty of murder and sentenced to life imprisonment. Ward, who was once Denva's best friend, inflicted the fatal knife wound and must serve a minimum of 23 years. Mason, who chased Denva to the garden where he collapsed, was ordered to serve at least 23 years and six months. Two other men, Zac Davies, 24, of Hawthorn Grove, Exmouth, and Dylan Chadwick, 24, of Cambourne Avenue, St Helens, were convicted of manslaughter and sentenced to 13 years and 12 years respectively. A fifth defendant, Ben Helliker, 27, of Halsdon Road, Exmouth, was also found guilty of manslaughter and will be sentenced on July 20.
Mother's heartbreaking statement
In a moving personal statement read to Exeter Crown Court, Denva's mother, Julie Smith, said: 'Since the death of my son my life has been completely devastated. The pain of losing him is something I struggle to put into words. The violence used against my son is something that will stay with me forever. He was left alone in the garden. Knowing my son was frightened and running for his life and ultimately left to die is deeply traumatic.' She added that it was 'especially heartbreaking' to know her son called out for help and that the thought of his final moments will stay with her forever. She described the involvement of some of the killers, who had been welcomed into her family home, as a 'profound betrayal' and said: 'I never had the chance to say goodbye.'
Details of the attack
The court heard that the attack occurred shortly after 12:30am on Dinan Way in Exmouth. Denva was walking with a friend when he was confronted by the group. Ward stabbed him with a blade he had carried, slicing through his forearm and severing the radial artery. Denva ran down a grassy slope, losing his sliders, and was chased by Chadwick and Mason along Hawthorn Grove and into Ashfield Close. As he fled, blood sprayed onto the ground and parked vehicles. He crashed into a garden at the end of a cul-de-sac and collapsed, crying out: 'Please help me, I've been stabbed' and 'I think I'm going to die.' Despite the efforts of police and ambulance crews, he died from blood loss.
Background of revenge and drug rivalry
The trial heard that the killing was motivated by revenge and drug rivalry. Denva had beaten up Mason a few days before the attack, and Mason had sworn payback. Ward and Denva had fallen out after Ward began a relationship with Denva's ex-partner. The prosecution said there was evidence of planning, with Ward collecting a knife and concealing it, some men wearing hoods, and phone records showing they planned to 'Get Denva.' Mr Justice Garnham described Denva as 'no angel' with a criminal history but said he 'had done absolutely nothing that night or previously which justified the attack meted out by you.'
Defence statements
Anna Vigars KC, defending Ward, said he came from a difficult background and expressed remorse. Lee Bremridge said Davies, an apprentice carpenter, had been 'swept away' by misplaced loyalty. Andrew Langdon KC for Mason said he had ADHD, autism, and was expelled from school aged 10, and that there was no intention to kill. Mason was also sentenced for a separate violent attack on another man in Exmouth town centre, for which he admitted GBH with intent.
