Cocaine-robbing murderer warned he was going to “hurt someone” before stabbing Gosport drug runner

According to reports from the Portsmouth Crown Court in the UK, on the night of October 2, 2020, in the town of Gosport, Hampshire, a violent incident occurred that resulted in the death of a local drug runner. The incident involved a man named Daniel Smith, who confessed to robbing and fatally stabbing the victim, identified as 33-year-old Lee Irving, during a drug deal gone wrong.

Smith, who had a history of drug-related offenses, was found by police in the early hours of October 3, 2020, in possession of a large quantity of cocaine and cash, which he had taken from the victim during the robbery. According to the prosecution, Smith had met Irving in the town center with the intention of buying drugs, but when Irving produced the drugs, Smith demanded more than what he was willing to pay, leading to an altercation.

During the trial, it was revealed that Smith had made threatening remarks to people in the area prior to the incident, warning that he was going to "hurt someone" that night. Witnesses reported hearing Smith make these comments, adding that he seemed agitated and aggressive.

The court also heard evidence from forensic experts, who testified that Irving's injuries were consistent with being inflicted during a struggle, and that Smith's DNA was found on the victim's clothing and the knife that was used in the attack.

Smith pleaded guilty to manslaughter on the grounds of diminished responsibility, but the jury found him guilty of murder after deliberating for just over an hour. The judge, Mr. Justice Dingemans, sentenced Smith to life imprisonment with a minimum term of 22 years.

The tragic incident highlighted the dangers of drug-related violence and the importance of addressing the root causes of such crimes in society. The victim's family paid tribute to him, describing him as a loving father and son, and expressing their condolences to Smith's family for their loss as well. The community of Gosport was left shocked and saddened by the senseless violence, and local authorities reiterated their commitment to tackling drug-related crime and supporting victims and their families.