Leicester: Man jailed for killing peacekeeper, stabbed in battle

A man has been jailed for life for killing a peacekeeper who was stabbed while trying to break up a fight.

Sidney Palmer, 59, died after suffering a single stab wound while intervening in the dispute in Leicester city center in September.

Victor-Eduard Raja, who was found guilty of murder on June 5 following a trial at Leicester Crown Court, will serve a minimum of 25 years and six months in prison.

Leicestershire Police said an argument broke out between Nathan Pritchard and another man on Conduit Street at around 6.15pm BST on September 30.

Pritchard was then punched by another man outside a London Road shop in retaliation.

Back on Conduit Street, police said Pritchard challenged the first man and called Michael Boleyn, who threatened the same man around 7 p.m.

The Raja then received a call from Boleyn and went to the scene – carrying a knife.

Prosecutors believed Raja was instructed by Pritchard to attack an associate of the person he had been arguing with.

Raja saw the man and an argument began in which Raja “violently punched him,” police said.

Several bystanders intervened – one of whom was Mr Palmer, who tried to pull Raja back.

CCTV showed Raja, 25, holding the knife and moving towards Mr Palmer, missing once before stabbing him once in the chest.

Mr Palmer was taken to hospital where he died a short time later.

Before the trial, Pritchard, 29, of Conduit Street, pleaded guilty to manslaughter and Diana Bodrug, 49, of Melton Road, Syston, admitted assisting an offender.

Boleyn, 31, of Great Central Way, Leicester pleaded not guilty to manslaughter but a jury convicted him in June.

On Monday, Boleyn was jailed for eight years, Prichard for six years and Bodrug was jailed for two years and six months.

Leanne Palmer, daughter of Mr Palmer – who was known as Sid – said the impact of her father’s murder was “unreal”.

“I’ve always been a daddy’s girl. He eventually came back to Leicester and I was so happy, but that happiness quickly turned to sadness when I was told what had happened,” she said.

“The last time I spoke to my father, we had an argument; that was just a few days before he was killed and we never got a chance to properly reconcile.

“My partner and kids have to watch me break down every day because all I want is my dad back.”

Mr Palmer’s brother Jon Palmer added: “He died in the most tragic circumstances trying to help, which shows what kind of person he really was.”

Det Ch Insp Mark Sinski, who was the senior investigating officer, said: “This was a tragic loss of life of a popular man who was just trying to act as a peacemaker and stop the initial fight.

“Sidney was a well-known and loved man and his death has understandably had a devastating effect on his family and friends.”