Two men jailed for life for stabbing dad to death

Two men have been jailed for life for stabbing a father-of-one to death over a debt owed by his friend.

Tyler Marshall, 20, and Cameron Stokes, 23, murdered 31-year-old Joshua Barr in Cambridge shortly after 05:00 GMT on 10 March.

Marshall had been running the so-called “ASBO” drug line in the city and was owed money by one of Mr Barr’s friends, a four-week trial heard last month.

Marshall, of no fixed address, and Stokes, of Highfield Close in South Glamorgan, were both convicted of murder and jailed for life at Peterborough Crown Court. Stokes must serve a minimum term of 21 years and 132 days and Marshall a minimum term of 15 years and 132 days.

Mr Barr managed to run from the scene of the attack in Carlton Way and call an ambulance, but he collapsed and died an hour later from the multiple stab wounds he sustained.

Marshall and Stokes were captured on CCTV cycling away from the scene after the stabbing, before later taking a taxi to Cardiff, Cambridgeshire Constabulary said.

Armed police units stopped the taxi en route to the Welsh capital at about 22:00 on 10 March, and they were arrested.

Paying tribute to Mr Barr last month, his family said: “Josh was caring, strong and a fighter. Everyone that met him said he had such a kind soul.

“He was a loving son and was dearly loved by us all. He was a ray of sunshine.”

Det Ch Insp Katie Dounias, from the major crime unit, said: “Tackling violence, knife crime, and county lines drug dealing continues to be one of our top priorities in Cambridgeshire, and we’re working with the local authorities, schools, and other key partners on a daily basis, but it is not something police and the courts can do alone.

“We urge parents, guardians and young people themselves to help reinforce the message that if you are caught carrying a knife, you are reducing your prospects and risking prosecution and, of course, tragedy.”