Killer of young Wexford artist is jailed 'indefinitely'
Sunday October 25 2009
A 20-YEAR-OLD man who stabbed and killed his best friend, an aspiring artist from Enniscorthy, Co Wexford, with a steak knife has been jailed indefinitely in England.
The two friends had been out to a party on July 7, 2008 and Louis Chambers used the rave drug and horse tranquilliser ketamine. Artist and graphic designer Dylan Bates-Fox, who was 21, left the party in the early hours of the morning and took a taxi with Chambers and his girlfriend Leila Mezoguhi to a squat where his 18-year-old girlfriend was staying at a disused warehouse in Bethnal Green, London.
Chambers assaulted Ms Mezguhi and Mr Bates-Fox threatened him with a champagne bottle before the Chambers grabbed a steak knife and plunged it in the chest of the Wexford man. The talented young man died at 4am shortly after reaching hospital.
The judge at London's Old Bailey warned of the dangers of ketamine as he jailed Chambers, the son of one of Britain's top artists, Stephen Chambers.
Judge Roger Chapple jailed the "dangerous young man" indefinitely and set the minimum period before he could apply to the parole board to be released at four years, but warned he was likely to remain in jail for "a long time."
The court heard Chambers had used "phenomenal force" in stabbing his friend who had subjected him to substantial provocation. Chambers has had mental problems since the age of nine and a history of violence since he was 17. While at a mental hospital for assessment he twice attacked staff in serious incidents which required the police being called. "You will remain in prison for as long as you remain a danger to the public and in your case I think it will be a long time," said the judge.
Dylan Bates-Fox was described by the judge as having a bright future as an artist and three months after he was killed his family were informed he had been accepted for a place at university.
Oliver Glasgow, prosecuting, told the court: "Chambers had a drug habit and a nasty temper. Witnesses say that when angry he can become really destructive and regularly carried a knife."
When the three returned from the party they were all affected "by drink, drugs or both". A row broke out over the couple's failure to repay their share of the taxi fare and Chambers reckoned he was attacked first. Chambers told police: "I did it, arrest me."
He pleaded guilty to manslaughter by "reason of provocation".
- Phil Campion
Sunday Independent
