Twelve convicted over John Lee Barrett killing

John Lee Barrett

Twelve men have been convicted over the death of a man at a Rochdale nightclub in the early hours of Christmas Day in 2011.

John Lee Barrett, 31, died from a stab wound to his back at Sinclair's Bar on Drake Street.

Sixteen men faced charges of violent disorder and attempting to wound with intent over Mr Barrett's death at Manchester Crown Court.

Four defendants were found not guilty or had their charges dismissed.

Seven of the men charged with the offences relating to Mr Barrett's death were also charged with wounding with intent over a related attack on his uncle, Patrick Barrett.

Tremaine Lee, 19, of Yeovil Street in Moss Side, Derico Smith, 20, of Brentnor Road in New Moston and Kamar Anderson, 26, of Hayfield Close in West Gorton were found guilty of violent disorder, wounding with intent and attempting to wound with intent.

Lathan Forrester, 23, of Great Western Street in Moss Side and Ashaun Townsend, 19, of Woodstock Road in Moston were found guilty of wounding with intent and attempting to wound with intent and admitted violent disorder at an earlier hearing.

Lance Forrester, 26, of Great Western Street in Moss Side and Jermaine Wilson, 22, of Spindle Avenue in Blackley were found guilty of wounding with intent and admitted violent disorder at an earlier hearing.

Nathan Livingston, 17, of Staycott Street in Moss Side was found guilty of violent disorder and attempting to wound with intent.

Rumaal Ingram, 25, of Bucklow Avenue in Manchester was found guilty of violent disorder and Warren Mason, 30, of Jackson Street in Kearsley, Clarence Edwards, 24, of no fixed abode and Olushola Watson, 23, of no fixed abode admitted the same charge at an earlier hearing.

Andrew Beckford, Anthan Barnett and Billy Bowen were all found not guilty of violent disorder and the same charge against Anton Ogle was dismissed at an earlier hearing.

Speaking after the case, senior crown prosecutor Fran Gough said the attack by the men had been "ferocious and brutal".

"It unfolded at an event which was attended by those who had quite rightfully gone to the venue to have a pleasant and enjoyable evening," she said.

"Soon after the gang forced their way past door staff at the premises, they unleashed a vicious mob attack on their victims.

"Within the space of just over three minutes, the gang left their victims with serious injuries and John Barrett received a stab wound and died in hospital a few days later.

"This violent incident has had a devastating impact on the families involved and I hope that the verdict will bring some measure of justice to them."

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