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Londoner found guilty of murdering Canterbury man Luke Brocklebank

Murderer Ikikibiya Manuel
Murderer Ikikibiya Manuel

by Keith Hunt

A teenage drug dealer has started a life sentence for the brutal murder of Canterbury father Luke Brocklebank.

Ikikibiya Manuel (pictured right) was told he will serve a minimum of 12 years before being considered for parole.

Judge Jeremy Carey said the 19-year-old, of Camberwell, south east London, had deliberately armed himself and stabbed Luke, 26, no fewer than six times in a frenzied attack.

The judge said he accepted Manuel's intention was not to kill but to cause really serious harm.

"Those who carry knives and use them to cause grievous bodily harm, which results in death, will be dealt with most severely by the courts," he added.

The jury of six men and six women returned a unanimous guilty verdict after deliberating for just over three hours on Tuesday afternoon.

There were shouts of "Yes" and applause. Luke's father Barrie Brocklebank leapt to his feet and shouted: "Justice."

Murder victim Luke Brocklebank
Murder victim Luke Brocklebank

Luke (pictured left) was attacked in a grassy alleyway off Forrester Close behind Sturry Road in Canterbury on April 16.

Maidstone Crown Court heard he had earlier told his friend Klaus Wilks, 26, he had no money and intended to rob the drug runner of heroin.

As they reached the meeting point at the alleyway, Luke cycled off saying: "See you in a bit."

Soon afterwards, Mr Wilks heard a scream and ran towards the alley. He almost bumped into Manuel, known as Kiki.

Mr Wilks then saw Luke stumbling and with blood on his chest. He pleaded: "Call an ambulance, I am f------ dying."

He was airlifted to the Royal London Hospital in Whitechapel, east London by the Kent Air Ambulance but died soon afterwards.

Michael Borrelli QC, defending, said Manuel had never before been in trouble with the police.

Soon after the stabbing three girls he spoke to told of his shaken demeanor and him saying he was not a killer. He spoke of his madness.

Mr Borrelli told the judge he could not ignore Luke's expressed intention to go and rob a drug dealer.

"He accepts the knife he had was unwisely taken out of the house with him," he added.

For more reaction, pick up a copy of this week's Kentish Gazette, out Thursday.

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