Five men and a teenage boy have been found guilty of murder following a fatal knife attack at a flat in Hemlington.
Oliver Connelly, Sidney Bashford and Ryan Moore, all armed with knives and machetes, forced their way into the home of 28-year-old Jordan on Fonteyn Court. A 17-year-old boy, who cannot be named for legal reasons, stood guard in an alleyway outside the flat, armed with a machete.
The court heard that after attacking Jordan inside the property, the three men fled the scene with the teenager and made their way to a nearby van driven by Michael Charville, who acted as the getaway driver.
Jordan attempted to seek help from neighbours, crying out for assistance before collapsing as a resident opened their door. Despite the efforts of neighbours, emergency services and paramedics, Jordan died in the early hours of Wednesday 28 February 2025.
On Tuesday 16 December, the four men and the teenage boy appeared at Newcastle Crown Court, where a jury found them guilty of murder following a six-week trial. An 18-year-old man was found not guilty. Sentencing is scheduled to take place on Friday 23 January 2026.
During the trial, jurors heard that the attack followed a dispute earlier on Tuesday 27 February involving the theft of an expensive electric bike belonging to Bashford. The robbery occurred outside Jordan’s home and involved another man known to him.
CCTV footage showed the group pursuing the suspected thief through the area before arriving back at Jordan’s address. Shortly afterwards, the fatal attack took place just inside the flat. Forensic examination revealed the front door had been struck with a bladed weapon.
Jordan was found to have been stabbed in the neck, prompting a murder investigation by Cleveland Police’s Homicide and Major Enquiry Team.
Following an extensive manhunt, the 17-year-old boy was arrested in Middlesbrough on 1 March. Moore was arrested on 17 March. Bashford fled the country but was detained in France and extradited back to the UK, where he was arrested at Heathrow Airport on 27 March. Connelly and Charville were arrested the following day at a property in Middlesbrough.
Senior investigating officer Detective Chief Inspector Chris Pringle said the group had armed themselves with the intention of causing serious harm, but their actions resulted in the death of an innocent man inside his own home. He added that the case highlights the devastating consequences of carrying knives and the lifelong impact on victims’ families.
