Ryan Passey: Police warning after 'futile' death of amateur footballer
It was a dance floor scuffle that saw an amateur footballer stabbed in the heart, sending shock waves across the community.
But the tragedy that claimed Ryan Passey’s life could have been prevented if a knife had not been taken into Stourbridge club Chicago’s.
Detective Inspector Caroline Corfield said the case should serve as a warning across the region.
The West Midlands Police officer added: “We always need to keep trying to bring down violent crime and particularly knife crime.
“One death because of knife crime is one death too many, so we will continue to work with communities.
“I want to pay tribute to both families for the dignified way in which they have conducted themselves throughout the whole investigation and the support they have given the investigation.
“The effects of a crime like this are really far reaching. It has devastated two families, most of all Ryan Passey’s who are grieving for his loss. They are facing a future without ever seeing him again.”
Kobe Murray, of The Broadway, Dudley, denied murdering Mr Passey at the Rye Market club and instead said he had acted in self-defence on August 6.
The 19-year-old was acquitted at Birmingham Crown Court yesterday.
During his trial, jurors heard both men were with friends in the same area of the dance floor when Mr Murray’s group was warned ‘against trouble’ by door staff after a minor altercation broke out.
Five minutes later, ‘some punches’ were thrown and Mr Passey was fatally wounded, prosecutor Mr Phil Bradley QC said.
The prosecution alleged Mr Murray ‘drove’ the blade into Mr Passey’s chest after a witness claimed they saw him grasping it moments before the victim was stabbed.
But Mr Murray told jurors he stabbed Mr Passey accidentally after taking the knife from friend Bradley Hackett, who owned the blade.
Mr Murray said he was punched by Mr Passey and unintentionally stabbed him while pushing him away forcefully with both hands.
He went on to tell jurors he decided to take the knife from his friend ‘because it was a stupid thing to have’ in the club.
DI Corfield said: “West Midlands Police are working closely with local communities to tackle knife crime but the police can’t be expected to tackle it alone – there is a responsibility within communities, families and amongst friends to challenge anyone who is carrying a knife, encourage them to hand that knife in.
“We need to stop somehow the attitude that there is a kudos around carrying a knife. If people challenge their friends about doing that then perhaps they would not feel it’s so clever.”
The trial also heard how revellers were not searched by door staff when they entered Chicago’s before the fatal incident. Mr Passey’s family launched a campaign to permanently shut the club after the 24-year-old died but Dudley Council’s licensing chiefs instead ordered management to tighten security.
DI Corfield said venues across the region should ensure security policies are enforced daily, adding: “Everyone wants to be able to move with a certain sense of freedom, and I don’t think anyone would expect to go through airport-style security when they go into a nightclub.
“But there should always be a security policy in place, and all nightclubs do have a security policy. We heard from witnesses in this case, who were regulars at Chicago’s, who told the court that not only were they not searched on the evening of August 5 but when asked if they had ever been searched when entering Chicago’s, their answer was no.”
‘Football-mad’ Mr Passey played for Team Dudley and was an ex-youth player for Stourbridge Football Club.
The former Thorns Community College student, from Quarry Bank, also ran a window-cleaning business.
Hundreds gathered at St James’ Church in Wollaston to pay their respects at his funeral last September.
DI Corfield added: “Ryan Passey’s death was completely futile, it should never have happened.
“Two young men both left their houses that evening to just go out and have a good time with their friends.”
