Birmingham stabbings: Victim named as Sheffield man Jacob Billington as tributes pour in

Jacob Billington was on a night out with school friends when he and and seven others were attacked in the city centre.

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The 23-year-old, originally from Liverpool, was a former geography student at Sheffield Hallam University and returned to work there last year.

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Posting on Facebook, when he was recruited, he said: “Couldn't be away from this place for too long.”

His life-long friend, Michael Callaghan, a Sheffield Hallam University engineering graduate, was also injured in the attack in the early hours of Sunday and is fighting for life.

He is in a critical condition after undergoing emergency surgery.

Both men, from Crosby, Merseyside, were among eight people stabbed in the horrific knife attack.

A 27-year-old man from the Selly Oak area of Birmingham has been arrested on suspicion of murder and seven counts of attempted murder.

Three other people, two men and a woman, were arrested on suspicion of assisting an offender.

Jacob’s family have spoken of their devastation at their loss.

In a statement they said: “Jacob was the light of our life and we have been devastated by his loss.

“He was a funny, caring and wonderful person who was loved by every single person he met. He lit up every room with his boundless energy and witty humour and the loss of such a special person will be felt by all who knew him for years to come.”

Chief Superintendent Steve Graham said: “Our thoughts and sympathies are with Jacob’s family and friends after receiving such shocking news, particularly for those who were sharing their night out with him. It’s utterly shocking that a friends’ reunion should end so brutally.

“Equally the families of the other victims have been left devastated by the events of Sunday morning and we are working hard to discover what led to the apparently random attacks. We have no suggestion that the motive was either racial, homophobic or gang-related.”

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