Sheffield Hallam University pays tribute to graduate and intern killed in Birmingham attack

Sheffield Hallam University has paid tribute to a graduate and intern killed in a horror knife attack on a night out.
By Claire Lewis
Published 8th Sep 2020, 11:41 BST
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Jacob Billington, aged 23, was with school friends in Birmingham in the early hours of Sunday when he was stabbed to death.

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His childhood friend Michael Callaghan, also 23, was also injured and is fighting for life after emergency surgery.

Birmingham stabbing victim - PABirmingham stabbing victim - PA
Birmingham stabbing victim - PA

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The two men graduated from Sheffield Hallam University, where Jacob studied geography and Michael studied engineering.

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Birmingham stabbings: Victim named as Sheffield man Jacob Billington as tributes...

Jacob still lived in Sheffield after returning to the city as a graduate intern at Sheffield Hallam’s library.

Sheffield Hallam University has paid tribute to a graduate and university intern stabbed to death on a night out in BirminghamSheffield Hallam University has paid tribute to a graduate and university intern stabbed to death on a night out in Birmingham
Sheffield Hallam University has paid tribute to a graduate and university intern stabbed to death on a night out in Birmingham

In a statement, the university said: “We are deeply saddened to learn that a member of our staff was a victim of the major incident in Birmingham over the weekend.

“Jacob was a Sheffield Hallam graduate and had joined the library as a graduate Intern, where his warmth and enthusiasm made him a greatly valued member of our team. Our thoughts and condolences are with his family, friends and colleagues.

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“We are providing support to those in our community who have been affected by this tragic incident.”

Six others were also injured in the attack.

A 27-year-old man has been arrested over the stabbings.

West Midlands Chief Constable Dave Thompson said: “The events of the weekend have been extraordinary. These are events quite unlike anything I have seen on our streets before.

“They have also been tragic with the awful loss of life and serious injuries we have seen. My thoughts are very much with the victims and their families.”

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