Sittingbourne teenager jailed for fatal machete attack

A 19-year-old man who used a machete to fatally injure his mother’s partner has been jailed

Author: Grace O'HarePublished 30th Apr 2024

A teenager from Sittingbourne who used a machete to fatally injure his mother's partner has been jailed.

Rohan Daniels has been convicted of manslaughter after violently assaulting David Perry at the family home in Medway in December 2022.

Kent Police say In the early hours of Wednesday 21 December 2022, Perry was violently assaulted by Rohan Daniels after the pair had argued over missing tobacco at the family home in Medway Close, Sittingbourne.

Following the incident, Daniels, who was 18 at the time, fled the property leaving his victim with multiple stab wounds.

Emergency services were called to the house where Mr Perry, aged 40, was confirmed deceased.

An investigation was launched by the Kent and Essex Serious Crime Directorate and Daniels was arrested on the following day.

The Crown Prosecution Service authorised a charge of murder against Daniels to which he pleaded not guilty at Maidstone Crown Court.

Following at a trial which concluded on Tuesday 27 February 2024, he was convicted of manslaughter.

The 19-year-old will spend 10 years behind bars.

"His mother not only lost her partner on that day but also her son"

Investigating officer Detective Constable Angela Cann of the Kent and Essex Serious Crime Directorate said:

"This argument was over a minor issue, but Daniels’ use of violence escalated this situation very quickly and resulted in a man tragically losing his life.

"Daniels said he only had the machete on him due to his interest in bushcraft, however, his possession of such a dangerous weapon remains unresolved.

"His mother not only lost her partner on that day but also her son, and now has to accept he is facing a lengthy prison sentence.

"Most importantly, Mr Perry had two daughters who have been shocked by their father’s untimely death.

"They also have to accept that their father’s life was taken away by someone he knew, in his home and in such a senseless and cruel manner. I hope this sentencing helps provide the victim’s family with some closure."

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