Four convicted after fatal stabbing on Conduit Street in Leicester

Four people have been sentenced following the fatal stabbing of a man who tried to act as a peacemaker and break up a fight.

Sidney Palmer died in hospital from a single stab wound after he intervened in a dispute in Leicester city center in September.

At the city’s crown court on Wednesday, Victor-Eduard Raja was found guilty of murder and Michael Berlin was convicted of manslaughter.

Nathan Pritchard previously pleaded guilty to manslaughter, while Diana Bodrug admitted assisting an offender.

All four will be sentenced on June 24.

Leicestershire Police said at around 18:15 BST on September 30, an altercation took place involving Nathan Pritchard and another man in Conduit Street – with Pritchard then punched by another man outside a shop in London Road, shortly thereafter in retaliation.

Back in Conduit Street at around 7pm, Pritchard challenged the first man and called Michael Berlin, who threatened him.

Victor-Eduard Raja then received a call from Berlin and headed to the scene – carrying a knife.

A fight ensued with Raja violently hitting the man.

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

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

The wound went through his heart and lungs.

Police tracked Raja on CCTV to a taxi to Blackbird Road, where he was picked up by his mother, Diana Bodrug, and driven to Yorkshire.

Booked him accommodation with false details and bought him a new SIM card for his phone.

But Raja, of Columbine Road, Leicester, was tracked down and arrested by armed officers in the early hours of Thursday, October 5.

Pritchard, 30, of Conduit Street, pleaded guilty to manslaughter, while Bodrug, 49, of Melton Road, Syston, pleaded guilty to assisting an offender.

Following a trial which ended at Leicester Crown Court on Wednesday, Raja was found guilty of murder and possession of a bladed/sharp article in a public place.

Michael Berlin, 32, of Great Central Way, Leicester, was found guilty of manslaughter.

A 35-year-old man was found not guilty of manslaughter at trial.

Det Ch Insp Mark Sinski, who was 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.”