Thug, 22, who stabbed Tyson Fury’s cousin to death in brutal attack outside bar is jailed for life
A THUG who stabbed Tyson Fury’s cousin to death with a seven-inch knife outside a bar has today been jailed for life.
Liam O’Pray, 22, knifed Rico Burton, 31, in the neck using a lock-knife in a brutal attack lasting just seconds.
Rico died after the blade of the knife, which flicks out using a button, severed the major carotid artery in his neck, causing major blood loss.
O’Pray has now been jailed for life with a minimum of 28 years after being convicted of murder and wounding with intent.
The horror unfolded after a fight erupted between O’Pray and Rico’s friends in Altrincham, Cheshire, on August 22 last year.
O’Pray had been drinking in a bar in an area known as Goose Green but told a doorman he would “cause him an issue” after being refused entry later in the night.
Witnesses described him as a “loose cannon” and behaving “very erratic” after he was barred from entering a second bar.
He was pushing people around while trying to look for his phone before a bouncer “dumped” him outside.
O’Pray then continued his “belligerent and aggressive” behaviour before “absolute chaos” broke out at around 3am.
His pal Malachi Hewitt-Brown was punched by Rico’s cousin Chasiah Burton.
After Rico aimed a punch at him, O’Pray stabbed him in the left side of his neck.
Harvey Reilly, 17 at the time and now aged 18, was slashed twice – once to the arm and once to the stomach – by O’Pray after stepping in.
The court was told the defendant was then knocked out as Rico was seen struggling to breathe and holding his neck.
He was rushed to hospital after going into cardiac arrest where he was declared dead shortly after.
Opening the case, Michael Brady KC, prosecuting, said: “All this happened within five to six seconds of Chasiah Burton punching Mr Hewitt-Brown.
“It was an extremely fast-moving incident.”
A post mortem revealed Rico had suffered a 6cm deep cut to his neck that had caused a massive haemorrhage.
Harvey had a 14cm gaping wound to his chest wall, exposing his ribs, and large wound to his left arm.
Jurors were told cannabis, cocaine and ketamine were found in O’Pray’s bloodstream after the horror.
He admitted possession of a knife in a public place and possession of cocaine but denies murder and attempted wounding.
Fury previously called on the government to “bring higher sentencing for knife crime” following the killing.
The heavyweight boxing champion wrote on Instagram: “My cousin was murdered last night, stabbed in the neck.
“This is becoming ridiculous… idiots carry knives. This needs to stop.”
He added: “ASAP, UK government needs to bring higher sentencing for knife crime.
“It’s a pandemic and you don’t know how bad it is until one of your own.
“Life is very precious and it can be taken away very quick. Enjoy every moment.”