Overview

• Liam Matthews was convicted of manslaughter for his role in the fatal stabbing of Lewis Bell, which occurred hours after Matthews' release from prison under an emergency early release scheme.
• Sean McLeod was convicted of murder, Ashton White of manslaughter, and Macauley Wright of assisting an offender in connection with the premeditated attack on Bell in September 2024.
• The attack, described by police as a planned and sustained assault, involved chasing Bell down the street, inflicting multiple stab wounds, and leaving him to die.
• The emergency early release scheme, introduced in 2024 to address severe prison overcrowding, has faced criticism for its risks, with the Ministry of Justice pledging a full investigation into this case.
• Sentencing for all four convicted individuals is scheduled for June 19, 2025, as Bell's family continues to call for justice while grieving their loss.