Jack Donoghue's killers jailed for 51 years after stabbing outside Solihull nightclub Popworld
A gang of thugs have been jailed for 51 years after a Birmingham University student was murdered outside a Solihull nightclub.Jack Donoghue was punched, kicked and fatally stabbed in the chest in a four-on-one attack close to Popworld in the early hours of November 30 last year.The 21-year-old, who was a student at Birmingham University, died from catastrophic blood loss less than four hours after the attack.The four thugs were "tooled up" and were "looking for trouble and confrontation", having earlier attacked passers-by in the street after being told to leave Yates bar.
Tyrall Blake, 21, of no fixed address was convicted of Mr Donoghue's murder and assault with intent to rob following a trial.He has been jailed for life with a minimum term of 23 years at Birmingham Crown Court on Monday.Nile Bennett, 22, of Court Lane, Erdington was found guilty of manslaughter and violent disorder. Bennett was sentenced to nine and a half years.Regan Watters, 21, of Kitts Green Road, Stechford, and Connor Moore, 20, of Weston Road, Lichfield, both admitted manslaughter.Moore was sentenced to seven and a half years and Watters, who also pleaded guilty to assault with intent to rob, was jailed for 11 years.Sentencing, Judge Farrer said: "Moore you initiated the violence. I accept you did not intend a group attack to take place. You then chose to involve yourself in the group attack."I accept you weren't aware that Blake was armed with a knife. You are now 21. You suffer from ADHD.Judge Farrer added: "Bennett you were with Blake when he collected his knife on two separate occasions. Your involvement arose at a relatively late stage. You were hard working and ambitious."In a statement read to the court, his devastated mother Anne said: "The shock rushed through me. I was told Jack had been stabbed."
She said: "The doctor told me they had done everything they could."Jack’s dad had to learn that his son had died by phone call. I saw my son lying dead on a hospital trolley."Paying tribute to her son, her statement continued: "He was fun-loving, happy. When you were feeling down he could make you feel better."He had just turned 21 and was planning his future looking forward to what life had in store. He was in the second year of Birmingham University.
"He was an amazing and special person."He had an enormous heart of gold which shone brightly."