The judge sentencing Ricky Hayden’s killer told him his actions were “within a hair’s breadth of murder” but said he would be loyal to the jury’s verdict.
Judge Philip Katz QC criticised Tommy Roome for showing a “complete absence of any compassion” for killing a well-respected man who “unlike you made something of his life”.
Judge Katz jailed Roome, 20, of Rams Grove, Chadwell Heath, for 14 years for stabbing celebrity bouncer Ricky to death outside his house in September last year.
Ricky, brother Perry and dad Paul confronted Roome and Tarrell Hinds, also 20, of Manford Cross, Hainault, who they suspected of trying take Perry’s scooter outside the family home, in Gibbsfield Close, Chadwell Heath.
Roome and Mr Hinds were both carrying machetes, and in the melee Ricky was stabbed in the thigh, which damaged the major arteries in his leg.
Paul, 55, was also seriously injured. Both men were taken to hospital, where Ricky died the following day.
Both Roome and Mr Hinds were acquitted of murdering Ricky by a jury in July, however Roome was found guilty of the lesser charge of manslaughter.
The court heard Roome had 25 previous convictions, including for possession of an offensive weapon.
Speaking today Judge Katz told Roome his actions came “within a hair’s breadth of the crime of murder”.
He said it was a “shocking” killing witnessed by numerous people, and criticised him for a “compete absence of any compassion” after killing Kosho bouncer Ricky.
He told the court: “I am sure that your use of a knife was not a sudden or spontaneous reaction to a meaningful threat of violence from the Haydens.
“I am sure when you stabbed him Ricky was unarmed wearing boxer shorts and bare footed.
“In the circumstances you knew perfectly well that using such a weapon to stab anyone might easily cause lethal injury.
“I shall of course be loyal to the verdicts of the jury.”
Judge Katz added that Roome would have to serve an additional five years on extended licence.
Outside the court Ricky’s mum Suzanne Hedges told reporters Roome could “rot in hell”.
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