Jordan Kelly-Flattery was sentenced today

A TEENAGER who fatally stabbed a blind man was today (Friday) sentenced to 10 years in a young offenders institute, after being found guilty of manslaughter last month.

Tributes left at the scene

Jordan Kelly-Flattery, 19, of West Close, Hitchin was charged with the murder of 36-year-old Graham ‘Snowy’ Snowden at a house party on Milestone Road in the town in the early hours of January 8.

He was then found guilty of the lesser charge of manslaughter by jurors at Croydon Crown Court on July 13.

In sentencing at the court this afternoon, he was told by His Honour Warwick McKinnon – recorder of Croydon – that he will serve 10 years in the institute, with 211 days of that already having been served.

In a touching tribute to Mr Snowden, his family released a statement after the sentencing.

The family of Graham Snowden have paid a touching tribute to him

It said: “Our world ended in the early hours of January 8 this year when our beloved Graham had his life cruelly taken from him. Today the court has sentenced Jordan Flattery to 10 years in custody after he was found guilty of the manslaughter of Graham, but it is us, Graham’s family, who continue to serve a life sentence, as no sentence passed today can ever bring him back.

“Graham was a fighter, he survived a horrific car accident eight years ago which sadly took the life of his friend and colleague, and left Graham fighting for his own. He sustained life changing injuries in the collision which left him with limited sight and mobility problems. He fought for an hour to stay alive the night he suffered that fatal stab wound inflicted on him by Jordan Flattery and we know he did not want to leave this world as he had so much to live for.”

For the full tribute, click on the link in the top right-hand corner.

Mr Snowden, who lived in Lower Stondon, died from a single stab wound at the scene.

The court heard in the trial that, as he went to leave the house party, an altercation took place in the hallway where Flattery produced a knife that he carried.

He stabbed Mr Snowden twice, once through his arm as he defended himself and a second fatally to his chest.

Detective Inspector Neil Langford, from the Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Hertfordshire Major Crime Unit, said: “Firstly, our thoughts remain with the family of Graham Snowden who have shown incredible bravery throughout this process. Our thoughts remain with them through what continues to be an extremely difficult time for them.

“The actions of Jordan Flattery on January 8 were cowardly - he took a man’s life and then fled from the scene. He deliberately carried a knife on him prior to this incident and this should act as a warning to those who commit such an offence, that you will be caught and dealt with.

“The sentence passed on him today cannot bring Graham back but I hope it offers some closure to his family, who continue to live with the legacy the actions of Flattery have left behind from that night.”