Jordan Marples-Douglas murder: How Ben Jones killed beloved Sheffield man in his home

Jordan Marples-Douglas, aged 23, was knifed in an attack in his Woodthorpe home on March 6, 2020.

Jurors were told that Jordan, who lived with his partner and step-daughter, was killed as a result of a drug debt.

Prosecutor Kath Goddard claimed violence flared after an arrangement was made for Ben Jones, who was found guilty of murder, and another man – who is at large - to pursue and enforce the debt.

Jones, 26, formerly of Archdale Road, Manor, was found guilty of murder earlier this week.

Dina Aweimrin, 22, of Oakdale Road, Nether Edge, was found guilty of assisting an offender yesterday on the basis that she helped another man involved in the killing to flee the country.

They are to be sentenced on Friday.

Aaron Johnson, 21, formerly of Mawfa Crescent, Norton, was found not guilty of murder.

Detective Chief Inspector Simon Palmer, who investigated the murder, said: “Jones and the other man arrived at Mr Marples-Douglas’ house that night, prepared for a fight.

“Once their victim was alone in the house, they knocked at the back door, lunging at him and forcing their way into the property. CCTV footage clearly shows this initial confrontation and then captures the pair chasing Mr Marples-Douglas past a window and upstairs.

“Whilst this was happening, the victim’s girlfriend received a call from a neighbour who suspected that there had been a burglary. She desperately called friends, asking them to go and see what had happened.

“Arriving at the house, one of these friends found Mr Marples-Douglas, bleeding and seriously injured. He had been stabbed in the chest and was pronounced dead by paramedics at the scene.”

Telecoms enquiries and CCTV footage helped officers plot Jones’ movements on the night of the murder and afterwards.

DCI Palmer added: “Jones had been living at his father’s house, and that is where he went after he attacked Mr Marples-Douglas. His father heard him and the other man discussing what they had done. Jones then left and went to the home of a family friend, to whom he confessed the killing.”

He was arrested on March 10 after being traced to an address in Leeds.

Officers recovered two knives as part of their investigation, which both contained traces of the victim’s DNA.

Jones’ hat was recovered from the the victim’s home.

DCI Palmer added: “The other man visited his girlfriend, Dina Aweimrin, who researched and booked him a flight to Dubai the following day. Using her bank card at Dubai airport, he flew to Somalia, where he continues to evade the authorities.”

Convicted killer Jones denied being a drug debt enforcer but accepted punching Mr Marples-Douglas on his doorstep which started a fracas during which Mr Marples-Douglas was stabbed.

He told the jury he had been visiting Mr Marples-Douglas to buy drugs and that Mr Marples-Douglas had been upset at the presence of the other man, who is still at large, and a disturbance broke out.

He denied knowing that Mr Marple-Douglas had been stabbed and claimed he had been trying to disarm him.

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