Liam O'Pray found guilty of murdering Tyson Fury's cousin Rico Burton
Mr Burton was stabbed in the neck in a brawl outside a bar in Altrincham, Greater Manchester.
Friday 21 July 2023 13:06, UK
A man has been found guilty murdering the cousin of world heavyweight boxing champion Tyson Fury in a brawl outside a bar.
Liam O'Pray, 22, stabbed Rico Burton, 31, in the neck with a seven-inch lock-knife in the early hours of 22 August, causing massive blood loss.
After Mr Burton's death in Altrincham, Greater Manchester, Fury paid tribute to him on social media.
In an Instagram post, Fury said: "Life is very precious and it can be taken away very quick. Enjoy every moment ... RIP Rico Burton may the lord god grant you a good place in heaven. See you soon."
Relatives of Mr Burton, who packed the public gallery, shouted "yes" as O'Pray was found guilty by a jury of murder on Friday by a jury of seven women and five men after three and a half hours of deliberations.
CCTV played during the three-week trial at Manchester Crown Court showed a fight erupt between the defendant's friends and Mr Burton's family and friends at Goose Green, a courtyard of bars.
O'Pray had earlier been refused entry to a bar and the jury heard he told a doorman he was a professional boxer and would be back to "cause him an issue".
He was described as a "loose cannon" and "very erratic" by witnesses - one of whom said "absolute chaos" broke out shortly after 3am.
The court heard O'Pray, from Salford, had a previous conviction for having a knife in public in 2019, but told the jury: "I'm not a violent person."
Cannabis, cocaine and ketamine were found in his blood and he had three wraps of cocaine on him when he was arrested.
Prosecutor Michael Brady KC told the jury it was "standard" behaviour for O'Pray to go out drinking, causing trouble while armed with a knife.
He was also found guilty of wounding with intent by slashing and stabbing Harvey Reilly, 18, in the same incident.
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Outside court, Sarah Reilly, the teenager's mother, said: "I just want to say a huge thanks to the police. The families are going to put time and strength and effort into campaigning against knife crime.
"It is every day. It needs to stop. There are laws and legislation that exists that are not being used, it needs to be policed more robustly."
O'Pray showed no emotion as the verdicts were delivered. He had previously admitted possession of a knife in a public place and possession of cocaine.
He faces a mandatory life sentence for murder but Judge Alan Conrad KC will decide the minimum term he will serve at a sentencing hearing on August 4.