Teenager given life sentence for the murder of 18 year old Codie Bambrick in Leicester

Codie was found with stab wounds in New Parks area

Codie Bambrick
Author: Gavin RutterPublished 22nd Nov 2024

A teenager has been sentenced for murder following the death of an 18-year-old in the New Parks area of Leicester earlier this year.

Lurrell Gittens, 17, was found guilty of the murder of Codie Bambrick following a trial at Leicester Crown Court, along with one count of conspiracy to commit grievous bodily harm.

Reegan Standley-Hunter, 18, was found guilty of one count of conspiracy to commit grievous bodily harm. He was found not guilty of murder.

Lurrell Gittens (left) and Reegan Standley-Hunter

Police were called to Glazebrook Road on 22 May following a report that a fight had taken place and a man had been stabbed.

Officers found Codie outside a property but he was pronounced dead a short time later.

Standley-Hunter was sentenced to serve eight years in a Young Offenders Institution.

Gittens was sentenced to serve life in prison, with a minimum term of 22 years.

Detective Inspector David Greenhalgh, from the East Midlands Special Operations Unit (EMSOU), was the senior investigating officer. He said: “Thanks to the quick response of our colleagues, Standley-Hunter and Gittens were located shortly after the incident.

“This meant we were soon able to piece together the circumstances of what happened in the moments before and after Codie sadly lost his life. We were also able to locate two knives, which was key in proving their involvement.

“This incident is yet another example of how the decision to carry a knife has devastating consequences and why we continue to urge people to support the #LivesNotKnives campaign

“I know Codie’s death continues to have a significant impact on the local community and I hope today’s outcome brings some small comfort to those who knew him. I would like to extend my deepest condolences to Codie’s family and friends and also give my thanks to the people of New Parks for their support and patience during our investigation.”

Inspector Ryan Hayes, commander for the West Leicester Neighbourhood Policing Area (NPA), said: “I’d like to echo DI Greenhalgh’s comments and thank the New Parks community for their support, co-operation and understanding throughout the investigation.

“I’d also like to thank the support we received from key networks and partner agencies for working alongside local officers in providing reassurance to residents.”

Following the sentence of his killer today, Codie’s family released a tribute to him.

“The one thing as a family that we do know for certain is that our family will never be the same again; our family gatherings are never going to be the same again

“The community all pulled together and gave Codie an amazing send off and our family will be eternally grateful for all the love and support that was offered.

“We would also just like to take a moment and thank the police, ambulance service and members of the public who all worked trying save Codie and the prosecution for all that they have done to help and support our family.

“No sentence in the world will ever be enough for us right now, how can it be?”

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