A TEENAGER has been jailed after killing a man at a house party in Digbeth last summer.

Gurveer Bhandal, aged 19, from Giggety Lane, Wombourne, was sentenced to 13 years behind bars at Birmingham Crown Court today (Monday January 15) after fatally stabbing 20-year-old Ashley Day.

The talented young football player had rented an apartment in Digbeth to celebrate being accepted onto a degree course at university. Over two nights, Tuesday June 27 and Wednesday June 28, he held a party at Bradford Street and invited friends to celebrate.

Dudley News: Ashley DayAshley Day (Image: West Midlands Police)

On Wednesday June 28 a mutual friend of his invited Bhandal to the party.

Following noise complaints in the early hours of Thursday June 29, Ashley started to ask people to leave and was stabbed by Bhandal three times to the chest and in the back.

Bhandal fled and discarded the knife, which was later found in a nearby construction site.

The 20-year-old pleaded innocence at trial in November, saying he stabbed Ashley in self-defence. He was found not guilty of murder, but guilty of manslaughter.

At the time of his conviction, Ashley’s family issued a tribute to their “loving boy” who they said would be “loved forevermore”.

They said: “Ashley will be remembered for his joyous smile that always lit up the rooms he entered.

“His kind, caring and compassionate nature was shown through his warm love for his family and friends. Ashley was happiness. His well-mannered, warm aura always made you feel at ease whenever you were around him.”

Detective Chief Inspector Laura Harrison, from the West Midlands Police homicide team, said: “Ashley was a well-liked, bright and popular young man who was very much looking forward to the future.

“He wanted to celebrate achieving his place at university by hosting a party with friends but what should have been a joyous occasion turned to tragedy. This has had a devastating effect on Ashley’s family but they have conducted themselves with respect and dignity throughout.

“Our thoughts remain with them as they continue to come to terms with their loss.”