A 14-year-old boy, Jerome Ellis, has been sentenced to six years in detention for the manslaughter of his stepfather, Neil Tulley, 54. The attack occurred last August at the family home in Guildford, Surrey, where Jerome and his 23-year-old brother Joshua stabbed Mr Tulley more than 60 times as he lay on the sofa.
A jury at Guildford Crown Court found Jerome not guilty of murder but guilty of manslaughter on the grounds of loss of control. His brother Joshua was convicted of murder and is due to be sentenced on 22 May. Judge Christopher Critchlow noted that the evidence was unclear about the specific roles of each brother in the attack.
The court heard that a year earlier, Mr Tulley had threatened to kill Joshua with an axe and was charged with making threats to kill, but was acquitted. He later returned to the family home, but by the time of the attack, his relationship with the boys' mother, Marie Ellis, had deteriorated, and he was sleeping on the sofa.
Judge Critchlow described the case as tragic, highlighting that Jerome had been neglected and lived in an abusive environment. He had spent his early years with his father, who was frequently drunk, and his mother's home was dirty and cluttered. Jerome had a close bond with his brother Joshua, who lived as a recluse in the attic.
The judge expressed hope that with therapy, Jerome could lead a normal life after his release. The case has drawn attention to the complexities of youth justice and the impact of domestic abuse on children.
