Taxi Driver Online

Luton Today

June 8, 2007

Man, 20, jailed for manslaughter

Taxi driver stabbed in mobile phone row

A young Luton man who killed a London taxi driver by stabbing him in the back in a row over a mobile phone, has been jailed for public protection.

Luke Kelly, 20, was convicted by a jury of manslaughter on the grounds of provocation and cleared of the murder charge he faced.

His victim, 53-year-old father of four Ron Hall (pictured) was found dying in his cab at Cherry Tree Mews in Hitchin Road, Luton, having fled from the confrontation at Kelly's home in Surrey Street, Luton.

Luton Crown Court heard he had been stabbed three times, and one of the wounds punctured his lung. He had come to Luton from his home in Moulin Road, Hackney, with two friends on February 6 last year.

He was told by Judge John Bevan QC today June 8 "You have a real inability to control your temper and use knives as a weapon of first resort. That makes you potentially dangerous.

"Your attitude after this offence demonstrated a lack of regret or remorse and unattractive boastfulness about what you had done."

He passed an indeterminate sentence and said Kelly would not be released until the Parole Board are satisfied that it is safe to do so. He must serve a minimum of three years before he can apply for parole and will be on licence for life.
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The judge thought he was guilty.

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IDFIMH

How come it was only manslaughter - stabbed three times!

I always thought manslaughter was due to accidental killing or similar.

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if you cannot be yourself, then who can you be.

I wonder if he would have got off so lightly if he stabbed a copper or a lawyer 3 times?

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http://wingsoverscotland.com/ http://www.newsnetscotland.com/

Because we have juries.

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IDFIMH