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Yob stabbed innocent man after being sacked from job
Last updated at 23:22pm on 23.11.06
Daniel Stopford: Jobless Stopford bragged about the killing to friends
A savage yob stabbed a complete stranger to death after sending a text message to a friend saying: "I got fired - someone will die 2day."
Daniel Stopford, 19, knifed innocent Keith Russell, 66, in the stomach after picking him out in the street at random.
The teenager had just been sacked from his job as a petrol station attendant and was said to have harboured "murderous thoughts."
He told pals he had got a new job but when asked by one of his family what it was he snarled: "Killing people."
Mr Russell was attacked in April as he walked home from a pub in Denton, Greater Manchester following a night out with friends.
He suffered a stab wound to the stomach and was found unconscious in the street. He died later in Tameside General Hospital after suffering a severed pulmonary artery.
Manchester Crown Court heard Stopford of Walker Street in Denton had been stalking Mr Russell around the streets in the run up to the killing waiting for right moment to strike.
He had sent his chilling text just hours before the murder and later bragged about the killing to friends saying: "I've done it, I've done it - they don't call my psycho for nothing."
Police arrested Stopford, now 20, after he was caught on CCTV as he put on his gloves and carried out the killing.
He admitted murder and was jailed for life with the minimum recommendation he serve 21 years. Police increased patrols in the area in the wake of the killing.
Outside court Det Chief Insp John Dineen of Greater Manchester Police said: "This was a truly wicked, premeditated crime.
"Stopford was intent on killing someone that night. He identified and stalked his victim before fatally stabbing him with a single wound to the abdomen.
"Keith was a local man, a vulnerable member of society. He was returning home after enjoying an evening with his friends in Denton town centre. He could have had no idea of what was about to befall him that night.
"Our thoughts go out to his family at this time and hope that the sentence brings them some form of comfort."
In a statement the victim's daughter Julie Bray said: "Dad was kind, generous and thoughtful. He had lots of friends in the local community and he really enjoyed going out socialising with them.
"He liked football and was a keen Manchester United fan. I will miss him terribly."
