Man Sentenced To 19 Years In Prison For Killing Unarmed Burglar Who Was Robbing His House

Man Sentenced To 19 Years In Prison For Killing Unarmed Burglar Who Was Robbing His House

A man who stabbed an unarmed intruder who was attempting to rob his house has been sentenced to 19 years behind bars. Karl Townsend, a 32-year-old father from Merseyside in the UK was cleared of murder but found guilty of manslaughter. Townsend repeatedly stabbed 31-year-old Jordan Brophy in the head, face, and arms after Brophy broke into Townsend’s house while he, his partner, and child were out.

  1. Brophy was one of four men that broke in to Townsend’s home. Reports say the burglary was a “smash and grab” job, with the four criminals apparently looking for a stash of controlled drugs. Townsend saw the men on his Ring doorbell app and rushed back home with his younger half-brother brandishing a knife. He then repeatedly stabbed Brophy, who died of his injuries.
  2. The judge does not believe Brophy deserved to die. While breaking in to someone’s home is a criminal offense and Brophy had a lengthy rap sheet, he should not have lost his life, Judge Andrew Menary QC told Townsend during sentencing at Liverpool Crown Court. “Jordan Brophy was no angel, he had a number of previous convictions and was under investigation for other matters at the time. Whatever he was doing on the night, he plainly did not deserve to die as he did. On any level, the unlawful violence used by you was truly shocking.”
  3. Brophy’s mother, Lisa Ward, read a statement in court during sentencing. Speaking about her son, she said: “Jordan was by no means perfect and innocent but never did anyone ever, ever, have the right to take him from me.” She explained that Brophy had gotten on the “wrong path in life” after he’d been fired from his job and that he had mental health problems but had been waiting for more than two years for a referral to see a professional.
  4. Townsend’s younger brother was also sentenced. Jamie Cunningham, 23, was seen as an accomplice to the crime and was given a community sentence of two years probation with 10 days of rehabilitation activity. He pleaded guilty to having a bladed article in his possession on the night of Brophy’s death.
Jennifer Still is a writer and editor with more than 10 years of experience. The managing editor of Bolde, she has bylines in Vanity Fair, Business Insider, The New York Times, Glamour, Bon Appetit, and many more. You can follow her on Twitter @jenniferlstill
close-link
close-link
close-link
close-link