A man from Salford who murdered boxer Tyson Fury’s cousin has lost a Court of Appeal challenge over his life sentence.
Salfordian Liam O’Pray was 21 when he fatally stabbed Rico Burton, 31, in the neck with a lock knife, after a fight broke out in Altrincham, Greater Manchester.
The seven-inch blade caused massive blood loss to the father-of-one, who died after the incident in August 2022.
O’Pray was sentenced to life with a minimum term of 28 years in prison after being convicted of murder at Manchester Crown Court in July 2023.
He was also found guilty of wounding with intent for slashing and stabbing Harvey Reilly, who was 17 at the time of the attack.
O’Pray’s lawyers previously told the Court of Appeal in London that the minimum term was “manifestly excessive” and should be reduced because his immaturity had not been properly analysed by the sentencing judge.
However, in a judgment on Friday, three judges said the appeal had been dismissed.
Mrs Justice Stacey, sitting with Lord Justice Holgate and Judge Adrienne Lucking KC, said that the sentencing judge “had taken full account of the appellant’s lack of maturity”.
She continued: “A significant reduction for age and immaturity had thus been made, and we do not find the sentence to have been manifestly excessive and the appeal is dismissed.”
Following the death of his cousin, Fury took to social media to call on the government to introduce “higher sentencing for knife crime.
On social media he said: My cousin was murdered last night, stabbed in the neck this is becoming ridiculous.
Fury said knife crime in the UK had become a “pandemic” and highlighted that “you don’t know how bad it is until (it affects) 1 of your own!”
“Life is very precious and it can be taken away very quick enjoy every moment. RIP RICO BURTON may the lord God grant you a good place in heven (sic) see you soon,” the former World Champion boxer posted.
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