A knifeman killed a 20-year-old man by stabbing him in the arm and stomach in Forest of Dean. Neil Woodley, 50, of Blakes Way, Coleford, had pleaded guilty to manslaughter of 20-year-old Luke Wasley at hearing at a Bristol Crown Court last October.
The court heard Luke Wasley was with his friends Jack Edmunds and Curt Aston on the evening of June 13, 2023, at the flat of Aston’s girlfriend in St John Street, Coleford, in the Forest of Dean. The group of men saw Woodley walk past the house after visiting his brother and they began to follow Woodley and shout at him.
When the three men reached Staunton Road, Mr Edmunds ran up behind Woodley and hit him on the back of the head. Woodley turned around and pulled a knife he was carrying, causing the men to back away before returning to the flat.
One of the men was heard to shout at Woodley: “Wait until I see you again.” Mr Edmunds, Mr Aston and Mr Wasley left the flat a short time later and found Woodley as he was again walking on Staunton Road. They chased him down Albert Road and into Oakfields.
The court heard Woodley pulled out his phone to call the police, but it was knocked from his hands by Mr Edmunds, who then ripped the chains from around Woodley’s neck. Woodley was then repeatedly punched to the face before pulling out his knife and brandishing it at the men.
He stabbed Mr Wasley in his arm and stomach. Emergency services were called but Mr Wasley died from his injuries a short time later.
In mitigation, the court heard Woodley was fearful of being attacked after being left with a drugs debt, and was carrying the knife to defend himself. He claimed that he did not mean to harm anybody, but wanted to scare off his attackers by showing he was armed.
Woodley had previously been on trial for murder in June 2024 but the jury was discharged after the judge accepted that two other defendants on trial for related offences had no case to answer. A retrial was ordered for January 2025 but Woodley indicated that he would plead guilty to the charge of manslaughter, which was accepted by the Crown.
He had also pleaded guilty to the charge of possessing a bladed item in a public place.
In sentencing Woodley, Judge Jonathan Swift said: “Your decision to carry a knife on that evening was a fateful one. You say that you stabbed out at Mr Wasley to defend yourself. All this shows is that if, during a fight, one person stabs at any other, there is no way of controlling where that knife will land.”
Woodley was sentenced to nine years in prison for the manslaughter of Mr Wasley, and one year and six months, reduced to one year and four months, for possession of a bladed item in a public place. The sentences are to run concurrently with Woodley having to serve two-thirds before being eligible for release on licence.
Mr Edmonds and Mr Aston had previously been charged with causing violent disorder, but the judge ruled that they had no case to answer during the trial last April.
Speaking after the trial, Luke’s family paid tribute to him, saying: “Luke was a much-loved son, big brother, grandson, nephew, cousin and friend. His loss is still being felt 19 months later and one that all who loved and knew him will never get over or come to terms with.
“He was a happy 20-year-old living his best life, he had a beautiful smile, infectious laugh, a glint in his eye, and a very kind heart. Luke is missed every second of every day and nothing will ever be enough to make up for his loss. We have to learn live without him every day which most days is unbearable as it is a reminder of the life he never got to live.
“We would like to say a heartfelt thank you to all that assisted and was there with Luke in the early hours of Wednesday 14 June, 2023. Also, a big thank you to all of the Gloucestershire Constabulary team, the CPS and Counsel who worked on Luke’s case and have supported us throughout.”