Park killers sentenced to life in prison

Two men have been sentenced to life in prison for the murder of a 30-year-old who was fatally stabbed in a park.

Daniel Larman and Kieran Okocha-Sleight, both aged 21, were found guilty by a jury in January for the murder of Tommy Boom on 18 July last year in Semilong Park, Northampton.

Larman must serve a minimum of 24 years before being eligible for parole, while Okocha-Sleight must serve at least 21 years.

In a victim impact statement read to the court, Kevin Boom, Tommy's father, said: "No sentence will ever bring Tommy back, but we hope his death raises awareness of the consequences of knife crime."

The court heard the men had arranged to meet a woman in Miller's Meadow, just after midnight, to sell her drugs.

When they arrived, Larman stood in front of the woman while Okocha-Sleight sat beside her on a bench, the court heard.

Moments later, Mr Boom and another man approached and questioned their presence in the park.

Larman then pulled out a large hunting knife from his waistband and when Mr Boom told him to put it down, Larman lunged at him, stabbing him twice.

Emergency services were called, but Mr Boom died at the scene.

During their trial, both defendants claimed Mr Boom had been the aggressor and had been armed with a knife.

These allegations were rejected by the jury.

Both were sentenced at Northampton Crown Court on Monday.

Mr Boom's family described their ongoing grief and the loss felt by his young daughter and niece in impact statements read to the court.

His father Kevin Boom added: "All the pride and joy his life had given me has gone. It has been replaced with rage, anger and hatred for the way his life ended."

His mother Joanne said: "My head knows that he's gone, but my heart will not accept it. Instead, I lay flowers where Tommy is laid to rest."

His younger brother Billy said: "I wish I had known that my last conversation with my brother was truly my last.

"I will make sure [the children] know him through us."

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