GMP Major Incident Team investigation secures life imprisonment of violent killer duo

Two men have been jailed for life after the murder of 20-year-old Javell Morgan in Moss Side last summer.

Deontay Crosfield (07/07/2000) of Rawthorpe Crescent, Huddersfield and Jacob Doughty (13/05/2001) of Ponyfield Close, Huddersfield were today (Friday 26 May 2023) sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum sentence of 20 and 21 years respectively.

Javell died in hospital after being stabbed five times when violence broke out at a street party following the Caribbean Carnival in the early hours of Monday 15 August 2022.

Javell Morgan

During a seven-week trial at Manchester Crown Court, the jury were told that witness statements and a trawl of CCTV helped detectives track the killers’ movements and identify them.

Crosfield and Doughty’s identities were then shared with West Yorkshire Police, who deployed resources to Huddersfield to arrest the pair and bring them into custody.  

Jacob Doughty

Deontay Crosfield

Senior Investigating Officer, Detective Chief Inspector Neil Higginson said: “Our thoughts remain with Javell’s loved ones who have been devastated by his murder. Though this won’t heal their broken hearts, I hope they find some closure in people being brought to justice.

“With assistance from West Yorkshire Police, officers from GMP’s Major Incident Team completed fast-paced but thorough enquiries to identify Crosfield and Doughty so they could be put behind bars, where violent killers belong. During an intricate search of the area, officers also recovered the knife which inflicted the fatal injuries on Javell – preventing its use to injure another individual.

“Caribbean Carnival is a key event, where Greater Manchester’s communities come together to celebrate diversity. GMP will not tolerate serious violent crime at this event or any other and officers will continue to work with partner agencies to keep people safe.”

DCI Marie Bulmer of Kirklees District Police said: “We welcome the sentencing of these Huddersfield men for their roles in what was a dreadful act of violence resulting in Javell’s murder in Manchester last summer.

“The convicted males were identified participants in violence and other related criminal activity here in Huddersfield and them being taken off the streets is good news for communities in Kirklees.

"Detectives from Kirklees Programme Precision worked very closely with our colleagues in Greater Manchester Police to assist their investigation in identifying and tracking down these men, including in arrest operations in Huddersfield.

“This investigation should serve as a stark reminder to criminals that police forces collaborate at the closest level to investigate cross border crimes and ensure no opportunities are lost to bring guilty parties to justice.”

Three other men were found not guilty.

In a separate trial also following the outbreak of violence on Claremont Road that night, Karmani Batler (10/09/2002) of Belle Vue Crescent, Sheepridge, Harlan Richards (15/09/2003) of Trafalgar Close, Kirklees and Mikyle Bucknor (13/02/2004) of Mirfield, Kirklees were found guilty of possession of a firearm with intent to danger life. Bucknor and Batler were also convicted of attempted murder. They will be sentenced in July 2023.

We all have a part to play in fighting, preventing, and reducing knife crime. If you know or suspect someone is carrying a knife, please report it immediately. GMP can be contacted via gmp.police.uk or 101. In an emergency, always dial 999.

Anonymous reports can be made via the independent charity – Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111. 11-17-year-olds can make anonymous reports via Fearless.org.