Jordan Barclay found guilty of murdering Dolton Powell

A man has been found guilty of murdering 21-year-old Dolton Powell from Gloucester last August.

A jury of six men and six women spent just over two days deliberating at Bristol Crown Court before finding 18-year-old Jordan Barclay, of Campbell Street, St Paul’s, Bristol, guilty of stabbing and killing Dolton in the early hours of Sunday 23 August 2015.

Seven other defendants were found not guilty of murdering Dolton and another man was found not guilty of assisting an offender in connection with the case.

Barclay and 18-year-old Nico Daley, of Dermot Street, Bristol were also found guilty of causing grievous bodily harm to 32-year-old Elijah Sutherland shortly before Dolton’s murder.

Dolton had witnessed his friend Sutherland being stabbed in a car park off Chase Lane and as Barclay tried to flee the scene, he tried to stop him but was stabbed in the neck.  Despite the best efforts of people at the scene, he died from his injuries.

Detective Superintendent Steve Porter, the Senior Investigating Officer of the case, said this is another case where carrying knives or weapons ends with a tragic loss of life:

“It’s clear that Dolton was a kind, bright young man who was a completely innocent party to what happened that night.  Our thoughts are with his family, friends and those who loved him.

“For whatever reasons knives and weapons were brought to a birthday party and violence sadly, but inevitably, broke out.  It goes to show how terrible and devastating the consequences of knife crime can be – it took just one wound to Dolton’s neck to end his life. 

“If nothing else, I hope that Dolton’s tragic death and today’s verdict serves as a deterrent to those who consider carrying and using weapons.”

Following today’s verdict, Dolton’s family paid their tributes:

“No family should have to go through this ordeal. Dolton was taken from us too soon and in the cruellest possible way.

“We were so proud of everything Dolton achieved in his short life and his final act to try and stop those who hurt his friend from getting away, shows who he really was.  He was an inspiration to us all.

“As a family we now need to come to terms with our loss and we ask for privacy at this difficult time.”

Sentencing will take place on Wednesday (6 July).

Gloucester News Centre – http://gloucesternewscentre.co.uk