Two men convicted of murder after a nine-day trial at Carlisle Crown Court.
Kane Hull, 29, and Liam Porter, 33, pleaded not guilty to manslaughter and involuntary manslaughter at their court appearance in March 2022.
Ryan Kirkpatrick, 24, fatally stabbed on September 18, 2021 at Carlyle’s Court, Carlisle.
The prosecution’s case that there had been bad blood between Ryan Kirkpatrick and Kane Hull for some time and that had resulted in the events that took place on September 18, 2022.
Ryan Kirkpatrick had attended a baptism that day and then traveled to Carlyle’s Court, where he and a baptism continued to celebrate.
Around 8 p. m. , Liam Porter arrived at Carlyle’s Court, where Ryan Kirkpatrick, Porter then contacted Kane Hull.
Hull arrived at Carlyle Court shortly after the phone call. He approached Ryan Kirkpatrick and a match ensued in which Hull took a drink, emptied it, and attempted to harm Ryan. The fighting was temporarily halted and Porter and Hull abandoned the domain. in a Volvo car.
About 15 minutes later they returned, this time with their faces covered and Hull with a knife.
Hull walked straight to Ryan and stabbed him repeatedly, before dropping him off in the Volvo car with Porter.
Despite the efforts of friends and emergency services, Ryan Kirkpatrick passed away at 9:22 p. m. M. That night.
Police have opened an investigation into Ryan’s death. Firefighters alerted them to the Volvo vehicle the couple had used to drive twice to Carlyle’s Court, the car had been set on fire in Burgh shortly after the incident.
The Court heard that Hull and Porter had attempted to cover their tracks, first wearing masks, then setting fire to the car, exchanging telephones and, with the help of others, had fled the country, travelling to Northern Ireland and then to the Republic. of Ireland.
Despite their abundant efforts, neither was extradited.
Both denied any involvement in the killing of Ryan Kirkpatrick but were convicted after a jury trial at Carlisle Crown Court. Sentencing will be on October 24, 2022.
Victoria Agulló, CPS North West’s Chief Crown Prosecutor, said: “Hull and Porter were determined to cause serious damage to Ryan Kirkpatrick and obviously planned and executed the attack that left Ryan fatally injured.
“They did everything they could to evade capture, adding disguise, turning phones and, in the end, feeling the country.
“The CPS worked with Cumbrian Police from the outset of the investigation to provide a strong case to the jury, adding eyewitness evidence, CCTV, phone assignment and mobile knowledge to show the location of Hull and Porter and the fact that they were together at key moments. This allowed the jury to conclude that they were guilty of Ryan’s death.
“When it was established that the couple were in the Republic of Ireland, the CPS, with the help of the Cumbrian police, petitioned the Irish government to extradite Hull and Porter and unload evidence for trial.
“My mind is with Ryan’s family, who I hope will find it convenient to know that Ryan’s killers have been brought to justice. “
The chief superintendent, Detective Mick Bird, is the lead investigator overseeing the case. Speaking after the verdicts, he said: “These two have denied involvement in this horrific crime.
“But a jury heard the evidence accumulated through Cumbrian police officers and presented through the prosecution, and found him guilty.
“Prior to his sentencing, I would like to thank the jury of ordinary members of the public who sat and listened to the evidence surrounding this shocking attack, and the witnesses who supported this charge, especially those who testified at trial.
“I would also like to thank our colleagues in the Crown Prosecution Service and prosecutors Tim Evans and Kim Whittlestone for the way the case was prepared and brought to trial.
“Finally, I will have to thank the committed team of Cumbrian Police officers and staff who worked 24 hours a day on this investigation and who demonstrated wonderful competence and professionalism throughout.
“This is an incredibly rare set of cases for Cumbria, in terms of the use of a weapon and the brutality involved, the persecution that followed and the effect on the network here at Carlisle.
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