The mother of a 24-year-old man who was stabbed to death in a 'senseless' street attack has spoken of her devastation after his killers were jailed. Denva Smith died in the early hours of May 31 last year after being stabbed in the arm, bleeding to death in a garden in Exmouth.
Sentences handed down
At Exeter Crown Court on June 10, Thomas Ward, 25, of Russell Walk, Exeter, was found guilty of murder and sentenced to life with a minimum term of 23 years. Ben Mason, 24, of no fixed address, was also convicted of murder and jailed for life with a minimum of 23 years and six months. Three others were convicted of manslaughter: Zac Davies, 24, of Hawthorn Grove, Exmouth, received 13 years; Dylan Chadwick, 24, of Cambourne Avenue, St Helens, was sentenced to 12 years. A fifth defendant, Ben Helliker, 27, of Halsdon Road, Exmouth, was found guilty of manslaughter and will be sentenced on July 20.
The attack
The court heard that Ward, a former close friend of Denva, inflicted the fatal stab wound. Denva had been walking on Dinan Way with a friend shortly after 12:30 a.m. when the group confronted him. Ward stabbed Denva in the arm, severing the radial artery. Denva ran down a grassy slope, losing his sliders, and was chased by Mason and Chadwick along Hawthorn Grove and into Ashfield Close. He collapsed in a garden at the end of a cul-de-sac, crying out, 'Please help me, I've been stabbed' and 'I think I'm going to die.' Residents heard his pleas, but despite police and ambulance efforts, he died from blood loss.
Background and motive
The trial revealed a background of revenge and drug rivalry. Denva had beaten up Mason a few days earlier, 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: Ward had concealed a knife, some men wore hoods, and phone records showed they planned to 'get Denva.' Prosecutor James Dawes KC described it as a group attack, five against one, motivated by revenge.
Mother's statement
Denva's mother, Julie Smith, read a moving personal statement in court. She 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.' She added: 'Knowing my son was frightened and running for his life and ultimately left to die is deeply traumatic.' She described the thought of his final moments, calling out for help alone in the dark, as haunting her forever. She also expressed a sense of betrayal that some of the killers had been welcomed into her family home.
Judge's remarks
Mr Justice Garnham said Denva Smith was a 'much-loved' young man who had 'done absolutely nothing that night or previously which justified the attack meted out by you.' He called the killing 'senseless.' The judge also noted Denva had a history of criminal offending, but that did not justify the attack.
Defence pleas
Anna Vigars KC, defending Ward, said he expressed remorse and wanted to help young criminals avoid making bad choices, citing his difficult background in care. Lee Bremridge said Davies, an apprentice carpenter from Liverpool, had been 'swept away' by misplaced loyalty. Chadwick was described as lacking maturity at the time. Andrew Langdon KC for Mason said he came from a troubled background with ADHD and autism, and had no intention to kill. Mason was also sentenced for a separate violent attack on another man in Exmouth, admitting GBH with intent.
