LITTLE HARROWDEN MURDER TRIAL: Detective 'glad' three men found guilty

The detective who investigated Stevie Pentelow's death has said he is glad three men have been convicted in today's verdict at Northampton Crown Court.

Sifean Ghilani, 20, of Winstanley Road, Wellingborough; Tristan Patel, 18, of Newcomen Road, Wellingborough; and Levar Thomas, 20, of Knox Road, Wellingborough, were all found guilty today of manslaughter and with conspiracy to rob Mr Pentelow.

Detective Chief Inspector Joe Banfield said: "Whilst we accept this result will frustrate Stevie Pentelow's family, we respect the jury's decision and I am glad Ghilani, Patel and Thomas have been found guilty of serious offending."

The three men and a 16-year-old boy had been charged with Mr Pentelow's murder and conspiracy to rob.

The 16-year-old was found not guilty on all counts by the jury.

Over a trial lasting several weeks, the jury had heard that on June 21, 2019, Mr Pentelow believed he was going to supply Ghilani with heroin and crack cocaine.

DCI Banfield said: "No one is making excuses for Mr Pentelow's lifestyle or how he chose to make his money, but he didn't deserve to die."

Ghilani was driven to meet Mr Pentelow in Little Harrowden by Levar Thomas and accompanied by Tristan Patel.

Stevie Pentelow was fatally stabbed in Little Harrowden and Ghilani accepted that he had knifed Mr Pentelow.

Ghilani told the court he had found the knife on the floor and it had been an accident.

DCI Banfield added: "My thoughts are with his family as they try to come to terms with today's result and life without him.

"This is another case that highlights the danger of carrying knives and I hope anyone whose reading this or becomes aware of this case will reflect on the fact Stevie Pentelow would be alive today if it were not for someone choosing to carry a weapon."