Man left to bleed out in agony in Barnsley house party stabbing murder

The man who stabbed Lazarus Makono to death at a house party in Barnsley has been handed a life sentence.

Sipho Pfukani, 28, was told on Monday that he will spend at least 18 years behind bars after being found guilty of murder. Jurors returned the guilty verdict following a trial at Sheffield Crown Court last month.

On Monday, the court heard Pfukani, of Luxembourg Mews, London, struck, after a "confrontation over several days fuelled by alcohol and insults."

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It was said he picked up the knife from the kitchen at the party on February 21 this year after matters turned "increasingly aggressive."

His Honour Judge Reeds said Lazarus was involved in an "altercation" with the female homeowner, and Pfukani grabbed the knife. After Lazarus left, he did not put the weapon back, despite being told to. Lazarus returned to the property, and this time became physical with Pfukani's co-defendant, Terrance Mltoshwa.

The judge said: "You knew from that first incident he was not armed. I accept that he was the person who escalated that already volatile situation when he kicked you, Terrance Mltoshwa in the head and you started to fight with him. As people tried to separate them, you, Sipho Pfukani, took your chance to stab Lazarus.

"You stabbed him to the side of the chest more than once with the knife."

Lazarus was left to bleed out in "agony" as the pair ran from the scene and disposed of their clothing. Mltoshwa, who had previously admitted assisting an offender and fraud from a separate indictment, stayed with Pfukani for around five hours after the stabbing. The court heard they were picked up by a woman who did not know of what had gone on.

Prosecutor David Brooke read out a victim personal statement written by Lazarus' aunt on behalf of his family and friends. She said: "This crime has not just taken one person but has ripped apart our immediate family and community. His memory will never fade.

"He was our future and this was taken away deliberately. He had his whole life ahead of him before it was cruelly taken away. This has caused unimaginable pain and suffering but even in grief we remember his laugh and love. Now there will be remorse, redemption sought and justice done. We will always remember and cherish memories of his smiles and hugs..."

Mitigating for Pfukani, Lisa Wilding told the court the knife was taken "initially as a result of the threat that was caused to someone by the deceased" and that the attack was not "planned or premeditated."

She said: "I accept clothing was discarded but in relation to that, it didn't lead to a lack of ability to identify the defendant or his actions in this case. There was a room full of witnesses and he left the murder weapon on the floor. He ran away from the scene in panic and that is something that is in almost every case of this seriousness and isn't something that should be an aggravating factor. He surrendered himself to a police station soon after.

"I ask you to take into account his remorse. He expressed it in his evidence, to the jury, and through me today. If he could turn back time he would, if he could have done things differently, he wishes he could. If he could look the family of the deceased in the face in the room, he would do so and offer his apologies."

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The court heard while in custody at HMP Doncaster, Pfukani has been working as a mentor to other inmates.

Mitigating for Mlotshwa, Dan Gaskell, said: "He left the scene in a hurry and without shoes. His removal of clothing was not an attempt to to destroy evidence. That clothing was recovered relatively close to the scene. He pleaded guilty at the first opportunity. Testimonials probably attest to his character better than I can. The defendant has used his time in custody constructively.

"He has provided certificates to me."

The court heard Mlotshwa is a "trusted member" of his prison wing and has also been given the role of a mentor.

Pfukani was handed a life sentence with a minimum term of 18 years that he must serve before going before the Parole Board who will determine if he is safe to be released.

Mlotshwa was jailed for 29 months.