Man found guilty of murder of Bodmin rugby player
Michael Riddiough-Allen, from Liskeard, was found dead near the Eclipse nightclub in Bodmin on 30 April 2023
Last updated 14th Mar 2024
A man's been found guilty of the murder of a rugby player outside a nightclub in Bodmin.
Michael Riddiough-Allen, 32, from Liskeard, was stabbed to death near the Eclipse nightclub in Bodmin on 30th April 2023. Six other people were taken to hospital for treatment to injuries.
25 year old Jake Hill from Jubilee Terrace, Bodmin, has also been found guilty of four counts of wounding with intent, and not guilty of one count of the same charge.
22 year old Tia Taylor from Northey Road has pleaded guilty to manslaughter and intending to pervert the course of public justice.
Chelsea Powell, also 22, and from Granny's Green, was found not guilty of manslaughter, but guilty of perverting the course of justice.
Sentencing will take place on the 12th of April.
During the trial the jury have been taken back to that night in April last year.
CCTV footage played to the jury over the trial showed Mr Riddiough-Allen on the ground with Jake Hill.
One witness described Mr Hill to be on a “knife rampage”, stabbing six people in a matter of seconds in the early hours of the morning.
The court has heard Mr Riddiough-Allen had been trying the break up a fight before he was stabbed.
Forensic evidence found Michael Riddiough-Allen was the fifth person to be stabbed in the incident. He died from a fatal “deep” stab wound, 12.5cm in depth, to the left side of his abdomen. The evidence described the blood loss from Riddiough-Allen’s injuries as “instant and severe.”
Other victims suffered with cuts, bruising and wounding from the attack.
A major incident was declared due to the number of casualties and the nature of events, which led to inquiries commencing immediately.
The family of Michael Riddiough-Allen said, in a statement: "Whilst we are grateful for our justice system and its ability to uphold the laws of our society, today's verdicts are not a victory. There are no winners here. It's not just our family who lost someone they loved that night.
"Michael watched that violence unfold in front of him, he felt a need to intervene to remove the threat and protect others. In this task, he lost his life.
"As four families we stand before you, together, to raise awareness of the damage that can be caused by carrying a knife. No good can come of it, only anger, hatred, loss and grief."
Detective Constable Emma Norrish, of Devon & Cornwall Police’s Major Crime Investigation Team, said: “We welcome the verdict reached by the jury after hearing the evidence and deliberating on their decisions.
“This has been a long and complex investigation and trial and we now await the sentencing of the three defendants.
“I hope the outcome reached today will begin to bring some closure to Michael’s family and friends, and to the surviving victims.”