IPSWICH, Suffolk – Two teenagers have been found guilty of the knife attack murder of 18-year-old Raymond James Quigley in Ipswich, Suffolk last January. The murder occurred after Mr. Quigley had traveled to Ipswich to meet two friends when they encountered the two attackers, who were wearing face masks, had hoods up, and were both carrying large knives.
Alfie Hammett, 19, and Joshua Howell, 18, were convicted at Ipswich Crown Court on Friday following a five-week trial and will be sentenced in March. Mr. Quigley sustained four stab wounds to the torso during the attack, with two wounds to the chest and abdomen proving to be fatal. Members of the public came to Mr. Quigley’s aid before emergency services arrived, however, he passed away at the scene.
The court heard that the motive for the attack was most likely due to tensions between rival gangs from Norwich. Mr. Quigley had links with a gang called OTM, while Hammett was associated with OTM’s rivals, 3rdside. Howell, meanwhile, had links to Ipswich gang IP3, who the prosecution attested had formed an association with 3rdside.
Hammett did not give evidence during the trial, but his defense disputed that he was the man who attacked Mr. Quigley, referred to as Male 1 by the prosecution. Howell, on the other hand, claimed to have no prior knowledge of the attack. He stated that he had gone out that day to make a drug deal and was carrying a machete for protection. However, the jury rejected Howell’s defense and were also satisfied that Hammett was Male 1, finding them both guilty by unanimous verdicts.
The pair were also convicted of possession of an offensive weapon in a public place, while Howell was found guilty of threatening another person with a bladed article. Hammett and Howell were remanded in custody until their sentencing at Ipswich Crown Court on March 11.