Corey Gauci: Teenager jailed for father-of-seven's murder in Cardiff
A teenager has been jailed for the murder of a father-of-seven in Cardiff.
Corey Gauci, 19, was convicted of the murder of Colin Richards, 48, last month, after a six-week trial at Cardiff Crown Court.
Mr Richards, from the Grangetown area of the city, was found unconscious in the Heol-Y-Berllan area on 7 April last year.
He died from a stab wound to his thigh, despite the efforts of the emergency services.
Gauci was jailed for life on Friday and will serve a minimum of 24 years behind bars.
A number of other defendants, who were also convicted in relation to Mr Richards's death, were jailed on Friday.
James O'Driscoll, 27, was jailed for four years for violent disorder and possession of a bladed article; Noreen O'Driscoll, 29, was jailed for three years for assisting an offender; Rebecca Ross, 44, was jailed for two years for assisting an offender and possession of a bladed article; and Sonya Somersall, 44, was jailed for two years and six months for assisting an offender.
Christian Morgan, 36, who had been found guilty of possession of a bladed article, received a suspended sentence.
During the trial, Cardiff Crown Court heard how the violence had escalated from a disagreement between Christian Morgan, a friend of Mr Richards, and the other defendants.
This culminated in violence in the Heol-Y-Berllan area, which resulted in Mr Richards being fatally injured.
Gauci and O'Driscoll went on the run but were arrested in Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire, 20 days later.
Detective Chief Inspector Matt Davies, from South Wales Police, said Mr Richards was "a much-loved father, grandfather, son, and brother".
"His tragic death has left seven children without a father, and they continue to miss him greatly," he added.
"Our thoughts are with Colin's family today as they have been throughout."
DCI Davies added that the case "highlights the devastating and far-reaching consequences of knife crime".
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