Murder charge after assault victim dies from seizure 15 years later, London court hears
Jordan Burton, 33, denies murdering Daniel Allright, who suffered fatal epilepsy linked to a 2006 attack in Lewisham when both were teenagers.
Lewisham assault victim dies 15 years on — attacker now faces murder charge
A man is on trial at the Old Bailey accused of murder after a victim of a violent street attack died from a fatal epileptic seizure more than 15 years after being struck over the head with weapons, ca.news.yahoo.com reports.
Daniel Allright was 16 years old when he was attacked in Oscar Street and Friendly Gardens, Lewisham, in September 2006. A group of youths struck him over the head with a piece of wood, an advertising board and a bicycle chain, leaving him with brain injuries that triggered seizures for the rest of his life. He died during a seizure at his home in March 2022, aged 31.
Jordan Burton, now 33, was 14 at the time of the incident. He admitted violent disorder and causing grievous bodily harm in 2008 but denies murdering Allright.
Prosecution: a joint attack with intent to cause serious harm
Opening the case for the prosecution on Wednesday, Duncan Atkinson KC told jurors that Burton was a party to a joint attack in which several individuals struck Allright to the head with weapons capable of causing serious injury.
"He thus either caused that harm himself with an intent to do so, or he intentionally assisted and encouraged others to do just that," Atkinson said. "And it is on that basis he is charged with murder."
The court heard that Allright sustained significant bleeding around the brain and elevated pressure inside his skull following the attack, and underwent a craniotomy. His first seizure occurred in March 2007, and he was prescribed medication for epilepsy. In the months before his death, his seizures had become more severe.
Allright's account of the attack
In a statement to police made after the 2006 attack, Allright said he had been riding his bicycle with two friends after leaving his home in Oscar Street when a group of youths attempted to rob them in Friendly Gardens on 13 September 2006. He said Burton had asked him whether he wanted to fight before being handed a piece of wood, which he used to strike Allright multiple times. Two other youths then joined the assault, hitting him with weapons while he attempted to shield himself with his arms.
Burton told police at the time that he had witnessed the incident but denied any involvement or knowing those responsible.
Arrest after years of non-cooperation
Following Allright's death in 2022, Burton was invited to attend a voluntary police interview but did not appear. When he was subsequently interviewed, he declined to answer questions. Police forced entry to his home in 2024 to arrest him after he failed to answer the door.
Burton was charged with murder by postal requisition in October 2025 and entered a not guilty plea at Croydon Magistrates' Court the following month, stating he had not intended to cause Allright serious bodily harm. The jury may also consider an alternative charge of manslaughter.
One of the other attackers from the 2006 incident pleaded guilty to violent disorder in 2007, while another admitted using threatening words or behaviour. Burton, who resides in Achilles Street, Lewisham, remains on trial.
Source: Google News CA — Crime (EN)