A man who murdered boxer Tyson Fury’s cousin will be allowed to appeal against the length of his sentence, judges have said.
Liam O’Pray was 21 when he stabbed Rico Burton in the neck with a lock knife after a fight broke out near some bars in Altrincham, Greater Manchester, on 22 August 2022.
O’Pray, from Salford, was sentenced to life with a minimum term of 28 years in prison after being convicted by a jury of murder at Manchester Crown Court in July 2023.
Judges at the Court of Appeal in London have now granted him permission to appeal against the sentence, as they said it could be argued the sentence was “manifestly excessive”.
The seven-inch blade caused Mr Burton, a father-of-one, severe blood loss. He died in the early hours of the following day.
Mr Burton’s death prompted his boxing champion cousin to post an impassioned plea on social media, declaring that knife crime “needs to stop”.
In his Instagram post, Fury said: “Life is very precious and it can be taken away very quick. Enjoy every moment… RIP Rico Burton, may the lord God grant you a good place in heaven. See you soon.”
Mrs Justice Stacey, sitting with Lord Justice Edis and Judge Usha Karu, said the judge who passed the original sentence may have failed to take “sufficient account of the age and level of maturity” of O’Pray at the time.
Nina Grahame KC, for O’Pray, said her client’s status at the time was “inadequately addressed and insufficiently reflected, and we say that is a very crucial ground on which this application should be permitted to proceed.
“The minimum term should have been significantly less than 28 years.”
O’Pray was also found guilty of wounding with intent for slashing and stabbing Harvey Reilly, who was 17 at the time of the attack.
A previous court hearing was told that the actions of officers at the scene were “instrumental” in saving Mr Reilly’s life.
Michael Brady KC, for the Crown Prosecution Service, described how Mr Reilly had suffered “life-changing injuries” as a result of the attack.
He said the aspiring engineer was unable to pursue the career he wanted and must work in administration for significantly less pay.
A date for the appeal is yet to be fixed.
