Brawl probe pair are sentenced

Tommy Bilton

TWO men have been sentenced for taking part in a brawl which resulted in a man being stabbed to death.

Tommy Bilton (19), from Limeside, died after being stabbed on Ashton Road, Oldham, when violence broke out outside a house party in the early hours of August 15, last year.

Last week Matthew Stubbs (24,) of Horsedge Road, Oldham, was cleared of murdering Mr Bilton, but was found guilty of GBH with intent after stabbing Simon Dalton (24) in the back.

Manchester Crown Court also heard that Josh Brierley (20), from Hollinwood, and Kieran Knapman (21), from Holts, were part of the fight, however were not responsible for Mr Bilton's death.

Knapman was sentenced to 32 weeks' custody suspended for a year, with a rehabilitation activity requirement, while Brierley, who is currently serving four years for an unconnected GBH, was given 16 weeks, to run consecutively.