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Sittingbourne teenager acquitted of murder after stabbing mother’s boyfriend with machete

15:58, 27 February 2024

A teenager who stabbed his mother’s boyfriend to death has been acquitted of murder.

Rohan Daniels fatally wounded 40-year-old David Perry with a machete at his home four days before Christmas Day in 2022.

Police were called to Medway Close in Sittingbourne back in 2022. Picture: UKNIP
Police were called to Medway Close in Sittingbourne back in 2022. Picture: UKNIP

The 19-year-old denied the charge after the brutal attack, which happened in Medway Close, Sittingbourne, but has been convicted of manslaughter by a jury.

Prosecutor Danny Moore had told how on the night of the assault the victim had gone out to a family home to play cards.

Later, the two men clashed over missing tobacco and Mr Perry was spotted at the top of the stairs with stab wounds to his chest.

Mr Moore said: “There was a wound to his left side that was spurting blood. He then collapsed to the floor.”

The prosecution claimed Mr Perry had been repeatedly stabbed with a machete and that police and paramedics tried to help him when they arrived but he died at the scene.

40-year-old David Perry was killed after being stabbed multiple times with a machete in Sittingbourne
40-year-old David Perry was killed after being stabbed multiple times with a machete in Sittingbourne

Pathologist Dr Virginia Fitzpatrick-Swallow told the jury how Mr Perry had received eight stab wounds and 10 incised wounds.

The fatal stab wound was to the left side of the abdomen, causing damage to abdominal organs and a complete cut of a main artery.

Daniels, of College Road, Sittingbourne, told the jury that he had caused the injuries but claimed it was in self-defence. He said the victim had struck him after walking into the bedroom

The teenager told the court: “I thought he looked drunk and or he was on something. I thought he wanted to fight me. I felt scared and I walked away to my bedroom.

“I sat on my bed and David came through the door and I picked up the machete, which I use in the garden, and told him to ‘get the f*** out’ of my bedroom.

Forensics and officers at the property in Medway Close, Sittingbourne, following the stabbing
Forensics and officers at the property in Medway Close, Sittingbourne, following the stabbing

“I felt shocked, scared and I was panicking. He came in sideways. I had the knife in my right hand. I had picked up the knife to get him to leave my bedroom.

“I thought he wanted to fight with me. I feared he was going to hospitalise me or kill me.”

Daniels was seen smiling in the dock after the verdict was returned he’ll be sentenced on April 22.

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