Macclesfield teenager jailed for manslaughter

A 16-year-old boy has been sentenced to 10 years after being found guilty of manslaughter after a man was fatally stabbed in Macclesfield.

A jury found the 16-year-old boy, who cannot be named for legal reasons, guilty of stabbing 37-year-old Ian Schofield at Liverpool Crown Court on 15 November. The boy, was also found guilty of conspiracy to rob. He admitted possession of an offensive weapon at an earlier hearing.

He appeared at Liverpool Crown Court today (Thursday 13 December) to be sentenced. He was sentenced to 10 years for manslaughter, five years for conspiracy to commit robbery and five years for possession of an offensive weapon – all are to run concurrently. His co-accused, a 28-year-old man who also can’t be named for legal reasons, was found guilty of conspiracy to commit a robbery. He was sentenced to five years in prison.

On the evening of 6 May 2018 the teenager and the man had been drinking at an address in Bollington. They arranged to meet Ian and got a taxi from Bollington to Devon Close in Macclesfield in order to do so.

DI Sarah Oliver, who led the investigation, said: “When they met up with him, for a reason we’ll never fully comprehend, the boy produced a large knife and lunged at Ian. His actions were shocking – even to his accomplice. The single stab wound was savage and sadly proved fatal. Ian was on his way to a barbecue when he made the impromptu stop off. He never made it to the barbecue. His family’s life fell apart that day and they are struggling to come to terms with how someone could carry out such a senseless attack. What is even more tragic is that his girlfriend is due to give birth to his child, who will never get to know and love his father. The teenager has left a child fatherless and a whole family bereft of someone they loved very much. I just hope this boy can understand the immense hurt and pain he has caused this family.”

The family of Ian Schofield said: “We would like to thank the legal team, police and jury for the conviction, this will not bring Ian back but gives some justice for the loss. Ian was big hearted and did not deserve what happened to him. He is much loved and missed and will be in our hearts forever. Carrying and using knives is unacceptable and needs to carry substantial sentences to act as a deterrent for those contemplating carrying weapons.”