Shrewsbury murder: Man jailed for life for stabbing 16-year-old Michael Warham in the chest and heart
A 20-year-old man has been jailed for life for the murder of teenager Michael Warham who was stabbed multiple times in Shrewsbury.
Declan Graves will serve a minimum of 20 years in prison after Michael Warham, 16, died from stab wounds to his chest and his heart, and arms.
The teenager from Liverpool was found with the injuries on August 1, 2016, and died from his injuries three days later, sparking a murder probe.
During the trial at Stafford Crown Court, a jury heard the stabbing followed an altercation outside a flat where one group of people chased a second group.
Police were called shortly before 10pm and arrived to find Mr Warham lying on the ground on Waford Close.
He was taken to hospital for emergency surgery but later died.
After a trial lasting almost two weeks, a jury returned a guilty verdict on Graves on Thursday, and he was sentenced today.
How the trial unfolded
Following the conviction, West Mercia Police Detective Chief Inspector Neil Jamieson said: "The tragic fact of this case is that a young man has had to pay the ultimate price for the actions of another individual. Graves made the choice to carry a knife on that day and yet it was Michael who paid the ultimate price for this decision.
"I am thankful that justice has been served today and feel that the sentence handed out to Graves reflects the seriousness of his actions.
"This has been a challenging investigation and I sincerely hope that today's conviction is of some comfort to Michael's family who have been left to face the full repercussions of Grave's actions in the most painful way."
DCI Jamieson added: "Knife crime can have wide ranging consequences and this tragic incident highlights the dangers and impact it has on individuals, families and communities.
"Fortunately such incidents are rare across the West Mercia force area but that does not diminish the fear and distress they cause. I would call on anyone who is considering carrying a knife, for whatever reason they think they need to do this, to think again."
Following the conviction, West Mercia Police is holding a knife amnesty, in a bid to stop people carrying deadly weapons.
On September 18, the force will be launching a four-week long knife surrender campaign.
Chief Inspector Sharon Cannings said: "While incidents as serious as this are rare it does bring home the damage knife crime causes to families and communities.
"In September we will be running a campaign aimed at encouraging people who carry knives to consider the consequences and give them the opportunity to surrender that knife anonymously."
During the campaign knife surrender bins will be placed in Shrewsbury and Telford police stations.
People surrendering knives at the stations will not have to leave their names or any details.
But, if police suspect a weapon has been used in a crime they will examine it for evidence.
