After Tyson Fury’s cousin was fatally stabbed over the weekend, Boris Johnson and Sir Keir Starmer extended the boxer their sympathies today. However, the Prime Minister reiterated that the government is combating knife crime, despite the fighter’s appeal for greater action.
After being “stabbed in the neck” outside a bar in Goose Green, Altrincham, Manchester, Rico Burton, 31, died early on Sunday morning.
Following the incident, Downing Street expressed sorrow to Tyson Fury on behalf of Boris Johnson, but defended the government’s efforts to reduce knife crime.
First of all, the Prime Minister’s thoughts are with the family, according to a No. 10 spokeswoman. No family ever needs to experience the unfathomable anguish that Tyson Fury’s family is.
We are motivated to make our streets safer because of this. To increase the number of police officers patrolling our streets, the government is increasing police ranks. Additionally, we’re providing them the authority they need to clear our streets of additional knives.
In order to target known knife carriers and enable the courts to act earlier and impose conditions like curfews on them, new court orders and stronger stop-and-search authority are included.
Through stop and search and our surrender programs, we have removed over 72,000 knives since 2019.
To “save families from the anguish it (knife crime) causes,” however, “more must be done.”
When asked about Tyson Fury’s request for stricter punishments for people caught with knives, Downing Street said that individuals caught with knives now already face harsher prison sentences than they did ten years ago.
According to a No. 10 spokeswoman, “those arrested with a knife are more likely to be sent to prison, and for longer terms, than they were a decade ago.”
For their “tragic loss,” Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer also expressed his sympathies to Fury, his family, and friends.
Sir Keir responded when asked by broadcasters if his party would accept harsher punishment for knife crime: “I do think we have to confront knife crime. That has to do with sentences, in my opinion. It also has to do with the help we require from our local communities.
All of the funding for youth programs has been stolen by the government, despite the fact that they are all connected.
Therefore, yes, we do need to take action, and I believe it is time for us to all work together to ensure that we do so.
When Mr. Burton went to another bar in Altrincham to see Anthony Joshua’s fight with Oleksandr Usyk, there was an unexpected outbreak of violence after the young boxer apparently went outside for a “straightener.”
Friends, though, believe that the young fighter was mediating the conflict when it started.
At Jimmy Egan’s Boxing Academy in Manchester, Rico and his brother Steve were previously instructed by Shaun Egan, who said, “From what I’ve heard, it was just a little scuffle.” Other guys attempted to enter a club, but they were turned away. Rico was merely attempting to diffuse the conflict; it wasn’t with him. After it had been resolved, the man suddenly stabbed them. It is absurd and utterly pointless.
Two males were abruptly on the ground as a few men were arguing outside, according to a witness. Although everything transpired so quickly, the reason for the fight is unknown.
The public provided first aid to both victims before emergency personnel arrived. A 17-year-old teenager was also found with stab wounds.
Mr. Burton passed away from his injuries at Manchester Royal Infirmary while the teenage lad is still there in a serious but not life-threatening state.
Two individuals, aged 20 and 21, have been detained in relation to the assault. Both of them are still in police custody.
Yesterday, Fury made an emotive case for stronger knife crime penalties, urging the government to address the “pandemic,” and paying tribute to his cousin.
Fury posted on Instagram, saying, “This is becoming ridiculous, fools carry knives. My cousin was murdered last night, stabbed in the neck.”
“This has to end.” Knife crime deserves harsher punishments as soon as possible; you can’t appreciate how horrible it is until one of your own gets hurt!
Life is highly precious and can be taken away in an instant, so savor each second. RICO BURTON, RIP. I pray that the Lord would give you a wonderful position in paradise. We’ll talk soon.
Superintendent Ben Ewart described the incident as “senseless” and noted that the stabbing happened “spontaneously” and “unplanned” during a press conference held by the police on Sunday.
In the wake of Mr. Burton’s fatal stabbing, a rash of violent crimes has been reported, according to the former chief constable of Greater Manchester Police, who claimed a backlog of court cases brought on by the pandemic is to blame.
According to former GMP leader Sir Peter Fahy, the court backlog has caused offenders to spend more time on bail and commit crimes again.
The significant backlog is the main problem, Sir Peter told Sky News. There are 58,000 cases pending, so it’s imperative to get young offenders into court as soon as possible if you’re dealing with them.
If they are released on bail, there is a chance that they will commit more crimes, which will add to the system’s workload and lead to more victims.
The backlog of cases at the Crown Court climbed for the third consecutive month in June, reaching 58,973 cases, according to data released by HM Courts & Tribunals Service.
The fact is that throughout the epidemic, we observed a significant decline in knife crime and violence in general. According to him, the authorities are still attempting to determine what has changed since then.
Is there really a rise in violent crime, or are we simply settling into a new normal?
Sir Peter continued by saying that harsher punishments might not be the answer because attackers don’t think about the severity of their sentencing before stabbing someone.
‘Absolutely harsher sentences have a role to play, but often when you’re talking about a random offense like knife crime where someone chooses to pull out a knife and stab someone in the artery, causing them to die, it’s really not in their mind how long of a prison sentence (they are) going to get,’ he said.
The most important thing is that the police are on the scene to make arrests, that they enter the legal system immediately, and that appropriate measures are used not just to control the offender but also to try and rehabilitate them.
Police will be most concerned about the judicial system’s capacity shortage, in my opinion.
In the meantime, condolences have poured in for the once-promising boxer, who spent his adolescent years training in Manchester.
Mr. Egan continued, “He had a true talent. He was a very kind young man who worked very hard and had a fantastic sense of humor. What has happened is just terrible. He was simply a fantastic person. It is terrible to learn of his death in this manner.
Mr. Egan mentioned how Mr. Burton used to train and box there up until his late teens, when he competed as a junior and won two national titles.
He continued, “Among the visitors we had, he was certainly one of the best we had ever seen.”
He used to frequent our gym as a young adult and was incredibly gifted and talented.
I saw him win a national championship the same week that he broke through a windscreen. He constantly had a smile on his face and was very upbeat.
When someone is stabbed, “people don’t realize what that does to families and how it may ruin them.”
Steve, Shaun’s brother, also paid tribute by writing on Facebook: “Rico Burton. Fantastic boxer, extremely talented, nice guy, and perpetually happy. RIP.’
The death of his cousin was confirmed by heavyweight champion Tyson, a native of Wythenshawe, on Sunday morning via Instagram. Along with an image that stated “Stop Knife Crime,” he claimed that he had been stabbed.
A 17-year-old teenager is still in a “severe but not life-threatening state,” according to Supt. Ewen, who verified this during a press conference held on the scene on Sunday.
Both victims should have come home this morning after spending the night out with pals, he continued.
It’s a very unfortunate ending to what should have been a fun night out with friends, as “everything implies at this point that [Mr. Burton] was enjoying an evening out with friends, and everything has taken place unexpectedly and unplanned.”
According to Superintendent Ben Ewart, there was a disturbance reported in Goose Green in Altrincham at around 3 a.m. on Sunday, August 20.
When we arrived, we saw two men, ages 17 and 31, who had been stabbed, receiving first aid from bystanders before officers and paramedics took over.
Both men were transported to Manchester Royal Infirmary, where the 31-year-old guy tragically passed away from his injuries. Rico Burton, as far as I can tell, is the guy. With severe wounds, the 17-year-old remains in the hospital.
Please allow me to first express my profound sympathies to Rico’s family and friends and to thank the bystanders for stepping in to help with first aid.
Greater Manchester Police has opened a murder investigation, and specialized officers are assisting both families, Supt. Ewart continued.
A 21-year-old man was detained at the site, and a 20-year-old man was detained in connection with this incident not long after. Both men are still in custody.
Without a question, this was a needless attack, and both victims had the right to come home this morning after a fun night out with friends.
“Goose Green is a well-known nightclub and would have been busy at the time. I appeal to anyone who was there overnight on Saturday, August 20, or to anyone with information about this incident, including phone photograph footage or videos, to come forward. In particular, I’m focusing on any friends of the victims or suspects who may have been out with them that night but haven’t yet come forward.
“Knife crime remains a concern for Greater Manchester Police, and the terrible repercussions of which have been highlighted this morning,” said the police department. “We have enhanced police controls in the area.”
When questioned about what the police had been told regarding the argument, he responded that they are still conducting a “very live” investigation and that it is a factor they are looking into.
He responded, “At this time, I don’t know any further information,” when asked what the police could say about the killed individual. His family is in touch with us.
He continued, “Everything points to this having happened spontaneously and unplannedly when he was out enjoying an evening with friends.
The conclusion to what should have been a fun night out with friends is, therefore, rather tragic.
According to the Manchester Evening News, Mr. Burton is suspected of participating in a brawl outside an Altrincham bar during which two individuals were stabbed.
According to police, the incident happened at Goose Green, Altrincham, shortly after 3 a.m. today.
According to the Greater Manchester Police, two guys were injured seriously and required immediate medical attention.
A 31-year-old man regrettably passed dead in the hospital a short while later, according to the police. The hospital is still housing a 17-year-old male who has critical wounds.
A guy, age 21, was detained on suspicion of section 18 assault and was arrested on the spot.
“A murder investigation has been opened, and I’m making a public appeal for anyone with additional information about this crime,” the statement reads.
Anyone with information, CCTV, images, or videos should get in touch, it was added.
Well-wishers have sent their condolences in response to Fury’s post, which has caused an outpouring of grief.
Former Rico and Fury coach Steve Egan expressed his “devastation” at learning of the tragedy.
The 60-year-old remarked, “I taught Rico, he’s a great lad,” to The Sun. I’m in shock.
I’m in the mood to cry. Since he was 13 years old, I’ve known him and his brother. He was amazing. What a talent.
He “was always a grafter,” putting in a lot of effort both at work and in the ring.
He claimed Rico had “no bad bone” and that he would never “get into trouble with anyone.”
His mother would be crushed, he said, and it will kill her.
Eddie Nevins, a close family friend, described him as “funny man and a decent boxer, one we looked up to as youngsters.”
Living close to the bar where the tragedy occurred, Michael Edwards told The Sun that it is “very frightening” when anything like this occurs.
It’s awful that so many individuals these days carry knives.
Tyson, I’m so sorry to hear of this awful death, someone wrote. At this terrible time, my thoughts and prayers are with his entire family. May the young man find tranquility and sleep soundly. Rico, RIP.
I’m so sad for your loss, Tyson, another person wrote. I’m considering you and your family.
Another person commented, “Sorry to hear that Tyson. I completely concur with you that only cowards carry.
The sad turn of events happened after Fury expressed his opinions about Joshua and Usyk’s world heavyweight boxing match from last night.
After the fight, in which Usyk defeated the Brit in a rematch to defend his unified heavyweight belts from the WBA, IBF, WBO, and IBO, Fury boasted that he could defeat both opponents.
The 34-year-old wrote on Instagram: “To be honest with you boys, both of them were s***e.”
It was among the worst heavyweight championship matches I’ve ever witnessed. It was nonsense.
“I would destroy them both on the same night.” F*****g s***e.
“Get your f*****g checkbook out, the Gypsy King is here to stay forever,” was the command.
Fury, also known as the Gypsy King, is presently vacationing with his family in Menorca.
He uploaded footage to Instagram last night of him and his family having a good time until the awful news broke.