Man, 21, is charged with the murder of Tyson Fury’s 31-year-old cousin who was stabbed to death

A 21-year-old man has been charged with the murder of Tyson Fury‘s cousin Rico Burton, 31, who was stabbed to death in Manchester at the weekend. 

Liam O’Prey, of no fixed abode, has been remanded in custody and will appear at Manchester and Salford Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday. 

He was arrested following the death of Rico, a promising boxer, outside a bar in the Goose Green area of Altrincham in the early hours of Sunday morning.

Greater Manchester Police said O’Prey will also stand accused of the assault of a 17-year-old boy who was critically injured and received life-saving treatment from members of the public at the scene following the alleged incident.

The force said Rico’s family continue to be supported by specialist officers and have been ‘kept updated with progress made by detectives in our Major Incident Team.’

It added in a statement: ‘The family of the teenage victim have thanked all those who helped to provide first aid that night – including first responders – to allow him to continue his recovery in hospital, where he remains stable with some significant life-changing injuries.

‘A 20-year-old man who was also arrested on suspicion of murder has been released on bail pending our ongoing enquiries.’

Rico is understood to have been enjoying an evening out with friends when he was allegedly knifed in a ‘spontaneous’ and ‘unplanned’ attack outside the venue, Greater Manchester Police said this week.

Mr Burton had been watching the heavyweight fight at a pub before going to another in Altrincham, where violence suddenly broke out, after the junior boxer reportedly stepped outside for a ‘straightener’.

In the wake of the alleged attack, Fury made an emotional plea for tougher sentences for knife crime, calling on the Government to deal with the ‘pandemic’, while also paying tribute to his cousin.

Fury wrote on Instagram: ‘This needs to stop. ASAP, UK government needs to bring higher sentencing for knife crime, it’s a pandemic and you don’t know how bad it is until it’s one of your own! 

‘Life is very precious and it can be taken away very quick enjoy every moment. RIP RICO BURTON.  May the lord god grant you a good place in heaven. See you soon.’

In a police press conference on Sunday, Superintendent Ben Ewart said the attack was ‘senseless’, adding that the stabbing took place ‘spontaneously’ and was ‘unplanned’.

Meanwhile, tributes have flooded in for the once-promising boxer, who trained in Manchester throughout his teenage years.

Downing Street offered Boris Johnson’s sympathy to Tyson Fury following the tragedy, but defended measures taken by the Government to cut knife crime.

A No 10 spokeswoman said: ‘Firstly, the Prime Minister’s thoughts are with the family. No family should ever have to go through the unimaginable grief that Tyson Fury’s family are suffering.

‘That is why we are determined to make our streets safer. It is why this Government is boosting police ranks to get more officers out on our streets. And we’re giving them the powers they need to get more knives off our streets.

‘That includes greater powers of stop and search and new court orders to target known knife carriers and allow the courts to intervene earlier and place conditions like curfews on them.

‘Since 2019 we’ve removed over 72,000 knives through stop and search and our surrender programmes.’

But there was ‘more to do’ to ‘spare families from the misery it (knife crime) causes’.

Asked about Tyson Fury’s call for tougher sentences for knife offenders, Downing Street said those carrying blades already faced longer terms behind bars than 10 years ago.

A No 10 spokeswoman said: ‘Under this Government those caught with a knife are more likely to be sent to jail, and for longer, than they were a decade ago.’

At a press conference at the scene on Sunday, Supt Ewen praised people who had given first aid at the scene and confirmed a 17-year-old boy remained in a ‘serious but not life-threatening condition’.

He continued: ‘Both victims should have returned home this morning after enjoying a night out with friends.

‘Everything suggests at this stage that [Mr Burton] was enjoying an evening out with friends, and this has taken place spontaneously and unplanned – it’s a very tragic ending to what should have been a good night out with friends.’

Superintendent Ewart said: ‘At around 3am this morning on Sunday August 21, emergency services received multiple calls about a disturbance in Goose Green in Altrincham.

‘On arrival, we found a 17-year-old male and a 31-year-old man with stab wounds receiving first aid from members of the public before officers and paramedics took over.

‘Both males were taken to Manchester Royal Infirmary, where sadly the 31-year-old man succumbed to his injuries and died. I can confirm that male is Rico Burton. The 17-year-old remains in hospital with serious injuries.

‘Can I take this opportunity first to pass on my sincere condolences to Rico’s family and friends, and also praise the members of the public who stepped in and provided first aid.’

Supt Ewart added: ‘Goose Green is a popular nightspot and would have been busy at the time and I appeal for anyone who was there overnight on Saturday August 20 or anyone with information about this incident including phone photograph footage or videos to come forward, in particular any friends of any of the victims or suspects who may have been out with them that night who has not yet come forward.

‘We have increased police controls in the area and knife crime remains a priority for Greater Manchester Police, the devastating effects of which have been demonstrated this morning.’

Any one with information is urged to call police on 0161 856 7386 quoting incident 475 of 21/08/2022, while photos and videos can be uploaded here .