A borough teenager destroyed evidence after stabbing a dad-of-three who died in a Salford park two years ago.

On Boxing Day 2022, 31-year-old Tyron Riley was found dead in Clarendon Park after being stabbed.

Prosecutor Eddy Steele told Manchester Crown Court that Bradley Waters, 18, of Clough Drive, Prestwich, said Mr Riley initially attacked him, and he was trying to defend himself.

A knife which supposedly belonged to Mr Riley came into Waters' possession and he stabbed Mr Riley and left the area, the court heard.

Mr Steele said that after the incident, Waters, who was aged 17 at the time, went to a friend’s house who gave him baby wipes to clean the knife.

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Tyron RileyTyron Riley (Image: GMP)

The court was told he then called a taxi to go home and, on the way, stopped to dispose of the knife, which has never been found, and destroy the clothes he was wearing by setting fire to them.

A week later, on New Year's Day last year, Waters surrendered himself to police, admitting he was involved in Mr Riley's death and went on to give them his account of the incident.

Regarding the conspiracy to supply heroin offence, on December 15 and 21 in 2022, he was involved in selling heroin to undercover police officers and was subsequently prosecuted.

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Also present in court was Mr Riley’s mother, Nicola Derbyshire, who read out a victim impact statement about how her son’s death has affected her and her family.

She said: “It was absolutely devastating to learn he had died in the hands of another person.

“I had to tell his three kids they weren’t going to see their daddy again.

“He was left to die alone, which is something I will never come to terms with.”

Andy Scott, defending, reminded the court of Waters' young age at the time of the crimes and that he did eventually hand himself into police.

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Mr Scott mentioned that he had a difficult upbringing and background and that he has since shown remorse for what happened to Mr Riley that night.

Waters was sentenced on Tuesday after pleading guilty to perverting the course of justice and conspiracy to supply heroin.

Judge Nicholas Dean said: “The main offence is that of perverting the course of justice which is always a serious offence.

“You heard evidence from Nicola Derbyshire and heard the distress caused to her and Tyron’s family from the events of December 26 and beyond.

“Opportunities were lost to police because of your actions. The investigation into Tyron’s death was not as full as it could have been.”

Waters was sentenced to five years, with half to be served in prison before being released on licence.