Ipswich, Suffolk – A 19-year-old teenager, Alfie Hammett, is currently facing a life sentence for the brutal stabbing of 18-year-old Ray Quigley in front of shocked onlookers in Ipswich last year. What makes this case even more disturbing is the fact that Hammett was on bail for another violent attack at the time. This unsettling revelation sheds light on the ongoing gang-related violence plaguing the region.
Living in Ipswich after being banned from Norwich under police bail conditions, Hammett’s violent tendencies came to a head when he brutally stabbed Quigley in a public street. The vicious attack was part of a fierce gang feud engulfing the area, with Quigley falling victim to a premeditated murder motivated by deep-seated rivalry between two rival groups.
During the trial, it was revealed that Hammett and his accomplice, Joshua Howell, had targeted Quigley, wearing face masks and confronting him in a busy shopping street. The attack left Quigley with four fatal stab wounds, leading to his tragic death in a nearby shop.
The case took a chilling turn when Hammett’s father, Shaun, suspected his son’s involvement after discovering a tracking device on his moped. Confronting him about the incident, Hammett denied any wrongdoing, claiming to have been in town buying boxing headgear, despite the lack of any equipment to support his claim.
Subsequently, both Hammett and Howell were found guilty of murder and carrying an offensive weapon, with Howell also convicted of threatening another person with a bladed article. As they await sentencing, the judge emphasized the gravity of their actions, stating that the mandatory detention for life was inevitable.
Moreover, the fact that Hammett had been on bail for another violent offense at the time of Quigley’s murder raises alarming questions about the effectiveness of the justice system in preventing repeat offenders from committing further crimes. The case underscores the need for comprehensive measures to address and prevent gang-related violence, ensuring the safety of communities affected by such criminal activities.