Codie Bambrick's family says 'our family will never be the same again' as killer sentenced

Codie Bambrick's family has paid tribute to the teenager as his killer was sentenced today, saying, "Our family will never be the same again". The 18-year-old was killed in the New Parks area of Leicester earlier this year.

Today (Friday), Lurrell Gittens, 17, was found guilty of Codie's murder following a trial at Leicester Crown Court, along with one count of conspiracy to commit grievous bodily harm. Reegan Standley-Hunter, 18, was found guilty of one count of conspiracy to commit grievous bodily harm.

Standley-Hunter was found not guilty of murder. Gittens was sentenced to serve life in prison, with a minimum term of 22 years, while Standley-Hunter was sentenced to serve eight years in a Young Offenders Institution. The murder trial could not be reported on earlier due to a court order.

READ MORE: New Parks teen stabbing victim named by police as family pays tribute

As the sentences were handed down, Codie's family said: “The one thing as a family that we do know for certain is that our family will never be the same again; our family gatherings are never going to be the same again. The community all pulled together and gave Codie an amazing send-off and our family will be eternally grateful for all the love and support that was offered.

“We would also just like to take a moment and thank the police, ambulance service and members of the public who all worked trying to save Codie and the prosecution for all that they have done to help and support our family. No sentence in the world will ever be enough for us right now, how can it be?”

Police were called to Glazebrook Road just before 1.15pm on May 22 this year following a report that a fight had taken place and a man had been stabbed. When officers arrived at the scene with colleagues from the East Midlands Ambulance Service, they found Codie outside a property but he was pronounced dead a short time later.

During initial enquiries, it was established that two people – later identified as Standley-Hunter and Gittens – had been seen sitting in a car outside a property in Gillman Road moments before the fight took place. Detectives established that moments before the fight, Codie and 18-year-old Syrus Dilks went to Gillman Road and caused damage to a fence.

It was at this point that a fight ensued – and during that fight Codie was stabbed by Lurrell Gittens. Standley-Hunter and Gittens then left the scene but were found by police in New Parks Boulevard at around 1.40pm and arrested.

Following a search of bins at an address linked to Standley-Hunter, two knives were found by police, along with clothes and trainers which had blood on them. The knives were identified as the ones involved in the fight.

Yesterday (Thursday), following a 14-day trial at Leicester Crown Court both Standley-Hunter and Gittens were found guilty. Today (November 22) the pair were sentenced at the same court.

At a previous hearing at Leicester Youth Court on July 1, 2024, Dilks – of Falconer Crescent, New Parks – pleaded guilty to assault, possession of an offensive weapon and violent disorder. He was sentenced to a 12-month referral order.

Detective Inspector David Greenhalgh, from the East Midlands Special Operations Unit (EMSOU), was the senior investigating officer.

He said: “Thanks to the quick response of our colleagues, Standley-Hunter and Gittens were located shortly after the incident. This meant we were soon able to piece together the circumstances of what happened in the moments before and after Codie sadly lost his life.

"We were also able to locate two knives, which was key in proving their involvement. This incident is yet another example of how the decision to carry a knife has devastating consequences and why we continue to urge people to support the #LivesNotKnives campaign.

“I know Codie’s death continues to have a significant impact on the local community and I hope today’s outcome brings some small comfort to those who knew him. I would like to extend my deepest condolences to Codie’s family and friends and also give my thanks to the people of New Parks for their support and patience during our investigation.”

Inspector Ryan Hayes, commander for the West Leicester Neighbourhood Policing Area (NPA), said: “I’d like to echo DI Greenhalgh’s comments and thank the New Parks community for their support, co-operation and understanding throughout the investigation. I’d also like to thank the support we received from key networks and partner agencies for working alongside local officers in providing reassurance to residents.”