Connor Brown's family 'hit hard' by news killer Ally Gordon has been released from prison

As parents Simon and Tanya Brown and their whole family try to come to terms with the loss of their ‘wonderful son’, they have been hit by the news that Ally Gordon, one of the men responsible for the 18-year-old’s death, has been released from prison on licence – less than a year after he was sentenced.

The Farringdon lad tragically died after being stabbed on a night out in Sunderland in February 2019.

His family have thanked all who were with Connor on the ‘fateful night’ and who were ‘strong and brave to stand up in court’.

In December 2019, Gordon was cleared of murder but found guilty of manslaughter for his involvement in the the tragic death of the amateur boxer.

He was sentenced to three-and-a-half years in prison for manslaughter and being in possession of a bladed weapon.

Following a referral by the Solicitor General that the punishment was ‘potentially unduly lenient’, Gordon’s case was heard at London’s Court of Appeal – the sentence was upheld by judges.

Gordon, now aged 21, has been released on licence.

Those released on licence can be recalled to prison if they breach it and, where victims and victims’ family are involved, no contact and exclusion zones can be implemented.

Connor’s mum Tanya Brown said: “We received the news on Wednesday morning that he had been released. For all we knew it was happening and were expecting the call it was still a huge shock and hit us all hard emotionally.

"We are still trying to come to terms with what happened that night and the fact we will never see our beautiful boy Connor again.

"As a family we are all still in shock but united together, we support each other through these difficult times.

"Our love and support extends to all the those who were with Connor on that fateful night and were strong and brave to stand up in court, we are truly thankful to you."

The family thanked people for their support and said: "Thanks again to everyone for your continued support you give to all the family and to everyone who continues show nothing but love and respect to Connor.”

Co-accused Leighton Barrass was jailed for life and told he will serve a minimum of 20 years after he was found guilty of murder.

Connor, a GP receptionist from Farringdon, was stabbed five times by Barrass in a back alley near Park Lane in the early hours of Sunday, February 24.

During the trial, jurors heard that Barrass stabbed the teenager after getting into a row with Connor’s friend over £5.

Connor had bravely stepped forward to defend others in the alley when the, then 20-year-old, Barrass returned waving a knife and threatening to ‘stab any one of yous’.

Despite the family’s heartbreak, they remain determined to set up a trust in Connor’s name to ensure ‘something positive can come out of the devastating tragedy’.

Tanya and Simon are in the process of setting up the Connor Brown Trust, which will aim to support young people through sports and physical activities to help steer them away from crime.

Following set backs due to the Covid-19 pandemic, they hope to launch the trust in March close what would have been Connor’s 21st birthday.

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