Hospital order for Luton man after fatal stabbing
Cameron Leckey, 33, had denied murder but pleaded guilty to the manslaughter of 26-year-old Mohammed Ashraful Choudhury on the grounds of diminished responsibility
A man who fatally stabbed a fellow resident at a supported living complex in Luton has been sentenced to an indefinite hospital order.
Cameron Leckey, 33, had denied murder but pleaded guilty to the manslaughter of 26-year-old Mohammed Ashraful Choudhury on the grounds of diminished responsibility.
Police had been called to reports that a man had been stabbed at the flats in Biscot Road just before 10.30am in January last year. Emergency services attended and Mr Choudhury was taken to hospital, but he died later that day.
Leckey, who lived in the room next to Mr Choudhury’s, was being supported for long-standing mental health issues, having previously been diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia.
He was captured on CCTV approaching the victim carrying a large knife before stabbing him in the chest.
At Luton Crown Court today (Friday), Leckey, of Biscot Road, Luton, was sentenced to be detained in a secure mental health hospital under Section 37 of the Mental Health Act and has received a Section 41 Restriction Order.
HRH Judge Simon praised Mr Choudhury’s family for their ongoing dignity. He said: “Mr Choudhury was very fortunate to have a loving and caring family, who were able to put aside their obvious focus of their upset and anger and see to see the bigger picture.”
In a statement also released today, his family said: “The last 14 months have been difficult for all those who knew and loved Ashraful, but it’s nothing compared to what he endured on 11 January.
“There’s an empty space in our family, and a crack in our hearts which will never be filled.
“Not a day goes past where we don’t think about him and remain hurt by the events, but it’s a price we’ll continue to pay for the cost of loving him.”
Detective Sergeant Clare Matier, from the Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Hertfordshire Major Crime Unit, said: “This was a tragic incident that resulted in the loss of a man’s life, and our thoughts remain with Mr Choudhury’s loved ones at this difficult time.
“We are dedicated to protecting our communities by doing everything in our power to take dangerous and violent individuals off the streets.
“This hospital order with restrictions will enable Leckey to receive the appropriate treatment while also ensuring he does not pose a threat to others in the future.”