Who was James Gibbons and how did he die?

James Gibbons was a father-of-four who was fatally stabbed by a 16-year-old boy in Laindon, Essex.

What did the 16-year-old killer say after the stabbing?

The convicted teen reportedly boasted about being a 'psychopath' in Snapchat messages and searched for information on killing consequences.

Home / Crime and Justice / Teen Killer's 'Psychopath' Boast After Stabbing Father

Teen Killer's 'Psychopath' Boast After Stabbing Father

Q: Is youth violence increasing in the UK?

Yes, police and data indicate that murders committed by young people are becoming more prevalent in the UK.

14 Jan

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Summary

Father fatally stabbed by a 16-year-old while defending homeless man.
Killer claimed to be a 'psychopath' in Snapchat messages post-murder.
Murders by young people are increasingly prevalent, police note.

Teen Killer's 'Psychopath' Boast After Stabbing Father

A father of four, James Gibbons, was fatally stabbed by a 16-year-old youth in Laindon, Essex, in May 2021. Gibbons was attacked after confronting teenagers harassing a homeless man near his home. The convicted murderer, Joshuah Sparks, reportedly messaged in a Snapchat group, "I don't care, I'm a psychopath," hours after the incident. He also searched online for information regarding accidental killings.

The mother of the victim, Wendy Richards, expressed her disbelief, stating, "We knew now that the police had someone in custody and it was a 16-year-old that killed my son. It's beyond belief." Essex Police noted that murders committed by young people are becoming increasingly prevalent, a trend supported by recent data showing a doubling in homicide convictions for under-16s over a decade.