Seven men have been jailed for more than 125 years combined after Mark Noke was stabbed during a botched robbery attempt at his Southampton flat.

Keiran Claffey was jailed for life with a minimum of 29 years after the judge ruled that he had stabbed Mr Noke at his Warburton Road flat in February 2023.

The 29-year-old of Keynsham Road was found guilty of murder following a seven-week trial at Winchester Crown Court and previously pleaded guilty to conspiracy to rob. 

Justin Roach, 40, of Steep Close and Leighton Tabone, 24, were both jailed for life with a minimum of 27 years after they were convicted of the same offences.

Aaron Morgan and Bradley O'Dell were both convicted of manslaughter and conspiracy to rob and were jailed for 15 years.

Daily Echo: Mark Noke.Mark Noke. (Image: Hampshire Constabulary)

Meanwhile, Harley Wilson, 21, of International Way and David Bull, 31, of Valentine Avenue both pleaded guilty to conspiracy to rob but were not involved in the carrying out of the plan.

Wilson was sentenced to seven years and six months whilst Bull received eight years in prison. 

The court previously heard how Mark Noke, 64, was stabbed in the chest when a group of masked men burst into his Warburton Road home after going to the wrong flat by mistake. 

The gang had planned to steal cash and drugs from a flat in the same block, but took a wrong turn at the top of the stairs. 

Daily Echo: Police at Warburton Road after Mark Noke was stabbed.Police at Warburton Road after Mark Noke was stabbed. (Image: Solent News))

Mr Noke phoned emergency services for help but died before he could be moved to hospital. 

In a statement after the hearing, Mark Noke's family thanked the police, the CPS and those who tried to save his life after the stabbing. 

They said: "Although we remain haunted and heartbroken by the tragic end to Mark's life we are thankful Mark has received the justice he so deserves.

"Hopefully, this will now allow us to look forward."

In a further statement read at the sentencing, Mark's sister, Lisa Carter said: "Mark had no enemies, he was only ever kind. I have been traumatised since that day."


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Mark's sister-in-law Melanie Noke described him as a "family man" who "spent every Friday with his family together for dinner".

"The evening of Mark's death we were all together for dinner.

"We all said our goodbyes that evening having no idea of the horror the night was yet to bring.

"We were then left with the devastating task of telling our children and them telling our children.

"As a family, we are doing everything we can to support each other through this awful time."

Delivering his conclusion, the judge Mr Justice Jeremy Baker said Bull and Harley Wilson had been the instigators of the planned robbery, having heard of valuables including cash and drugs at a flat in Waburton Road. 

He said Tabone, Claffey, O'Dell and Morgan all went to Warburton Road with Roach dressed as a pizza delivery driver. 

Daily Echo: Warburton Road, ThornhillWarburton Road, Thornhill (Image: Solent News & Photo Agency)

"It was there that by mistake instead of turning right along the landing, you turned left along the landing to where Mark Noke lived. 

"Not appreciating your error you knocked on his door. I am satisfied that when he opened it all five of you entered the property. 

"I am satisfied that none of you told the truth about the events that night. One of you stabbed him in the chest with a knife whilst one of you held a gun to his head.

"The individual who had the knife was you Keiran Claffey which you used to stab Mr Noke in the chest.

"The one who had the firearm was you, Justin Roach."