Student David Haynes stabbed on his 21st birthday for defending a friend

David Haynes was celebrating his 21st birthday at a nightclub in Wellingborough, Northants on the 26 August when his cousin became embroiled in a dispute with three other men. David intervened to defend his cousin, 24-year-old, Shane McLeod, who is deaf and mute and was being picked on by the gang of three. It is reported that David had managed to persuade everyone involved in the dispute to shake hands. However, shortly after leaving the nightclub, he was attacked and stabbed outside Delight Kebabs in Silver Street at 3.45am. He was taken to Kettering General Hospital where he later died. A post-mortem examination at Leicester Royal Infirmary revealed that he died from a stab wound to the abdomen.

Esme Taylor, David’s aunt and guardian said; “We have lost a caring and loving young man and the whole family is devastated by the loss. Especially David’s granny, who made sure she contacted David every day following the death of his mum 18 months ago. Granny would sometimes ring David time and time again, asking him to run errands, and he did so without complaint, even late at night. He had a generosity of spirit, a big smile and a good heart. He never judged people and typically he was trying to help someone less fortunate than him shortly before he died.”

Following his murder by three Asian men, a meeting took place in Wellingborough to discuss community relations amidst the fear that tensions in the area would lead to reprisals. The meeting included members from the African, Hindu and Seikh communities and several high-level police officers.

Nimesh Patel, 24, of Covington Grove, Wellingborough, Shilesh Patel, 26, of Winstanley Road, Wellingborough, and Sandeep Phull, 22, of Westcott Way, Northampton, were initially charged with murder. On 19 February 2008, Shilesh Patel began an 18 year sentence for David's murder.