Man found guilty of manslaughter of promising young footballer
Gurveer Bhandal was convicted yesterday at Birmingham Crown Court.
Ashley Day, was a talented young football player and had just been accepted to university to embark on a degree.
The 20-year-old, had decided to celebrate his achievement by hosting a party at a rented apartment in Digbeth, Birmingham.
Over two nights, Tuesday 27 and Wednesday 28 June, he held a party at Bradford Street and invited his friends to help him celebrate.
On Wednesday 28 June a mutual friend of his invited Gurveer Bhandal to the party, an invite that would ultimately lead to tragedy.
Following noise complaints in the early hours of Thursday 29 June, Ashley started to ask people to leave.
The court heard how Ashley was stabbed by Bhandal three times to the chest and in the back as he fell to the floor.
The 19-year-old ran from the flat and discarded the knife, which was later found in a nearby construction site.
He pleaded his innocence at court, saying that he stabbed Ashley in self-defence. The jury took over three days to reach a verdict.
Bhandal was found not guilty of murder, but guilty of manslaughter and was convicted at Birmingham Crown Court on November 29.
The investigating officer Detective Inspector Jim Mahon, said: “Ashley was an intelligent, popular and bright young man. He had hosted a party for friends and acquaintances . He should never have come to harm as he was living the life of a young person with the world at his feet.
“Someone bought a 22 cm knife to the party. Whilst it has never been proved who did, the dangers of having this knife present has become evident from this case.
“Ashley’s family have had to endure hearing the case in court. They have handled themselves with respect and decency throughout.
“The witnesses in the case were young and extremely traumatised by what they saw. I want to thank the bravery in them coming to court and giving evidence. Without them the case would have been challenging to present to a jury.
“Two young men have lost lives as a result of this. The suspect will now spend a substantial period of time in prison and lose a significant portion of his young life.
“We hope that Ashley’s family have seen justice served and our thoughts remain firmly with them as they continue to grieve for their brother, child and loved family member.”
The family of Ashley have paid tribute to him after his killer has been found guilty of manslaughter.
Ashley’s family paid a touching tribute to their “loving boy” and insist he needs to be remembered for his “caring and compassionate nature”.
Ashley’s family, said: “Ashley will be remembered for his joyous smile that always lit up the rooms he entered.
“His kind, caring and compassionate nature was shown through his warm love for his family and friends. Ashley was happiness. His well-mannered, warm aura always made you feel at ease whenever you were around him.
“Ashley was held in high regard by all who met him, and he will be deeply missed by all. Ashley was brought up as a Christian, received Holy Communion and was baptised. He was a great big brother and protector of his younger brother, Leon.
“He was raised by his wonderful mother, Immaculate Day, who gave him the freedom to experience life to the fullest. He was very passionate about football and excelled at Newport football academy, and also had a great love for music.
“He was highly intelligent and was excited to start his undergraduate degree at Brunel university this year. Ashley was a very loving boy. Anyone who knew him will tell you how he exuded joy and happiness and always wanted the best for everybody.
“He hated violence and was always the first peacemaker. His smile was infectious, and his sense of humour was out of this world. Our hearts are bleeding for our model son. The agony of losing a child/brother is indescribable and the pain is insurmountable, however, fond memories of Ashley will never fade, and he will forever be close to our hearts.
“Farewell, beautiful Ashley, your stars go down to shine upon some further shore and you will be loved forevermore.”
Bhandal, of Giggetty Lane, Wombourne will be sentenced sometime in January.