A CAVERSHAM man has been sentenced to life imprisonment after being convicted of murder.
Today at Reading Crown Court, O’Neal Joseph, 28, of Amersham Road, Caversham was given a minimum term of 24 years imprisonment after he was found guilty by unanimous verdict of murder yesterday.
Reece Weatherburn, 22, of Nire Road, Caversham, was convicted of assisting an offender at the same hearing, and sentenced to three years’ imprisonment.
On Sunday, February 14, Joseph was involved in an altercation with Yannick Cupido, 24, who was stabbed and later died.
Joseph was charged in connection with the incident on Wednesday, February 17, with Weatherburn being charged on Tuesday, May 4, as Thames Valley Police continued its investigation.
Senior investigating officer, Detective Inspector Mike Roddy, of the Thames Valley Police Major Crime Unit, said it was a tragic incident, where Yannick Cupido needlessly lost his life.
“It is yet another example of the serious consequences of knife crime, and the damage that carrying a knife can cause,” he said.
“Because of this Yannick’s family have lost someone who otherwise would not have lost his life. They have shown incredible strength and dignity throughout this process and I would like to thank them for that.
“If anything comes of this case, I hope it is that it makes people think about the dangers knives can do.
“If Joseph had not done that, Yannick would still be alive.”
