Two jailed after sword stabbing

Two men have been jailed for their part in a brawl which left a man dead.

Robert McLuckie, 27, who died in January 2003 stabbed with a Samurai sword, was an innocent bystander, police said outside Lewes Crown Court.

Bradley Ackhurst, 34, of The Graperies, Brighton, who admitted manslaughter, was jailed for four and a half years.

Matthew Plimmer, 21, of Birdham Road, Brighton, admitted conspiracy to commit violent disorder, violent disorder and affray, and was jailed for two years.

Three-inch stab wound

After the hearing, Det Ch Insp Steve Dennis, of Sussex Police, said Mr McLuckie had been an innocent man "in the wrong place at the wrong time".

Mr McLuckie suffered a three-inch stab wound to his back after the brawl in Birdham Road, Moulsecoombe.

The court heard Ackhurst was one of three men who tried to assist Plimmer confront drug addict Kevin Wood, who lived in Birdham Road.

The court was told Wood was a "bully" and an "unpleasant individual" who had been "terrorising" Plimmer by demanding money and property.

Street brawl

Plimmer had reported Wood to the police, but the court heard he panicked and went with Ackhurst to Chris Luxford's house where they wrongly believed Wood to be.

The fight started after Mr Luxford opened the door - Mr McLuckie, visiting from Leeds, left the house unarmed and lashed out with his fists before being stabbed.

Eamon McDonnell, 36, and Jonathan Neiland, 22, who also went to try to confront Wood, both admitted violent disorder.

McDonnell, of Downlands Court, Portslade, was given 220 hours community service and Neiland, of Lavender Street, Brighton, was given 180 hours.

Ackhurst also admitted conspiracy to commit violent disorder and affray.

Sentencing them, Mrs Justice Rafferty said their "misguided attempts to deal with people like Woods at their own despicable level led to this tragedy."