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Nightclub knife killer's court appeal
A SHEFFIELD man jailed for the murder of a life-long friend has launched an appeal against his conviction.
Curtis Lee Goring, aged 28, of Rolleston Road, Firth Park, was jailed for life last February with pal Danny Hockenhull, 25, of Hawkshead Road, Grimesthorpe, for the murder of 23-year-old Brett Blake in a city nightclub.
Goring took his case to The Court of Appeal in London to challenge the "safety" of his conviction.
The trial at Sheffield Crown Court last year heard Goring, Hockenhull and Mr Blake were members of Sheffield's S3 postcode gang, operating in Burngreave and Pitsmoor.
Rival factions had developed and tensions were high, resulting in tit-for-tat attacks.
The feud between the three started when dad-of-one Mr Blake, from Longley, was slashed by another gang member and took offence when Hockenhull and Goring failed to take his side.
Goring and Hockenhull stabbed Mr Blake to death in the Uniq nightclub on Carver Street in a pre-planned attack. Goring stabbed him in his stomach after Hockenhull plunged a blade into his neck.
They were ordered to serve at least 21 years before becoming eligible for parole but had their minimum terms reduced to 18 years on appeal.
Now Goring's legal team is arguing the conviction was based on "circumstantial evidence" and others could have been responsible.
His barrister Dominic D'Souza told the Appeal Court the case was based on "entirely circumstantial evidence", much of which "led elsewhere" - away from Goring.
He said there was no clear evidence placing Goring near Mr Blake when he was stabbed in the stomach, arguing the trial judge should have dismissed the case.
Lord Justice Leveson, Mr Justice Davis and Mr Justice Lloyd adjourned the case until November.
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Saturday 26 May 2012
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