Murderer stabbed 'gentle and kind' man 17 times

A man who stabbed a "gentle and kind" man 17 times with a hunting knife has been jailed for life for murder.

Liam Rush, 31, attacked Granville Graham at the Crossways hostel on Chesterton Road, Cambridge in the early hours of 25 February last year.

Peterborough Crown Court heard Rush visited the 58-year-old father-of-eight's room twice during the evening, once for eight minutes and again for 34 minutes.

Prosecutor Michelle Nelson KC said "exactly how the events unfolded in [Graham's room] are known only to the defendant". Rush was sentenced to life and will serve a minimum of 23 years before he is eligible for parole.

Rush admitted a charge of murder during a previous hearing at Peterborough Crown Court

Graham, who performed music under the name Junior Dan, had "countless family and friends who loved him dearly", his family previously said.

He had nine sisters, a brother and a grandchild.

Judge Sean Enright said victim impact statements from Graham's family made "painful reading", adding he was a "very gentle, kind, religious man".

He was also described as an "old school guy, with old school morals", and the court heard how he "would not hurt a fly".

Rush used an Anglo Arms-branded knife in the murder, which the company admitted in 2021 had gained a "reputation with gangs".

Nelson said after Rush's first visit to Graham's room, the victim "did not leave that room, didn't call for help, he wasn't seen".

Judge Enright said "on balance", the attack took place during the second visit.

Rush, who had no previous convictions, later handed himself in to the city's Parkside Police station, before declining to comment during police interview.

The only explanation Rush had given for the brutal killing was to a prison officer - stating "he believed Mr Graham was supplying drugs to his mother".

Ian McLoughlin KC, mitigating, said the "defendant does not accept that he said that".

The hostel provides winter emergency accommodation for rough sleepers and is run by charity It Takes a City.

In a statement it said it was "deeply saddened by this tragic incident and our sincere condolences go out to the family, friends and all those affected by this loss".

"The safety and well-being of the people we support has always been and will remain our highest priority.

"We have worked closely with the police to ensure that appropriate safeguarding continues to be in place and, based on their advice, have nothing further to say."

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