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(ABOVE: 19 year old Jordan Flattery was found guilty of manslaughter)

A 19-year-old man Hitchin teen's been sentenced to 10 years for manslaughter today after being found guilty at a hearing in Croydon Crown Court last month...

Jordan Flattery, of West Close Hitchin has been sentenced to ten years for the death of Graham Snowden at a house on Milestone Road in the early hours of Sunday January 8^th.

Mr Snowden , 36, a father of two - who was known locally as ‘Snowy’ of Station Road, Lower Stondon died from a stab wound following an altercation at the house on Milestone Road.

The court heard how Mr Snowden, who was partially blind and suffered from mobility issues after being in a car crash a few years ago was confronted by Jordan Flattery as he tried to get up from a sofa when he was approached by Flattery who pushed him down twice.

A confrontation took place between them and the group were asked to leave.

As they left an altercation took place in the hallway where Flattery produced a knife that he carried and stabbed Mr Snowden twice, once through his arm as he defended himself and a second fatally to his chest.

Jordan Flattery was arrested on January 10^th and charged with his murder.

(BELOW: Graham Snowden, 36, died from a fatal stab wound to the chest)

Detective Inspector Neil Langford, from the Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Hertfordshire Major Crime Unit, said: "Firstly, our thoughts remain with the family of Graham Snowden who have shown incredible bravery throughout this process. Our thoughts remain with them through what continues to be an extremely difficult time for them.

"The actions of Jordan Flattery on January 8^thwere cowardly - he took a man’s life and then fled from the scene. He deliberately carried a knife on him prior to this incident and this should act as a warning to those who commit such an offence, that you will be caught and dealt with. The sentence passed on him today cannot bring Graham back but I hope it offers some closure to his family, who continue to live with the legacy the actions of Flattery have left behind from that night.”

Baljit Ubhey OBE, Chief Crown Prosecutor for Thames and Chiltern Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) said: "We have worked closely with the police since this investigation was launched. This was a tragic crime, which led to the untimely death of Graham Snowden who was disabled and registered blind.

"The jury returned a guilty verdict for manslaughter. The prosecution accept the verdict of the jury who convicted Jordan Flattery on the grounds of loss of control.

"The Crown Prosecution Service praises the strength and courage of Graham’s family who sat through the trial and listened to the horrific details of how Graham was stabbed to death, at a mutual friend’s house after a verbal argument.

"We hope that the conviction and sentence will in some way help the family come to terms with this tragic event. Flattery has today been sentenced to ten years in custody. However, no matter how long the prison sentence is, we acknowledge that nothing can make up for the loss felt by the family and friends of Graham. Our thoughts are very much with them at this time.”

The family of Graham Snowden wish to issue the following tribute statement:

"Our world ended in the early hours of January 8^ththis year when our beloved Graham had his life cruelly taken from him. Today the court has sentenced Jordan Flattery to ten years in custody after he was found guilty of the manslaughter of Graham, but it is us, Graham’s family, who continue to serve a life sentence, as no sentence passed today can ever bring him back.

Graham was a fighter, he survived a horrific car accident eight years ago which sadly took the life of his friend and colleague, and left Graham fighting for his own. He sustained life changing injuries in the collision which left him with limited sight and mobility problems. He fought for an hour to stay alive the night he suffered that fatal stab wound inflicted on him by

Jordan Flattery and we know he did not want to leave this world as he had so much to live for.

Graham was a kind and dedicated family man, he would do anything for anyone, even though sometimes it could be a struggle, he never complained about anything and always saw the bright side of life. He lived for his family, especially his little girls and leaves behind his two beautiful daughters Elise (accent over capital E) 14, and Alana, 8. He also leaves behind his brother Gary and, his Dad and his Nan, Cynth. He has been robbed of the chance of seeing them continue to grow into the beautiful young women they are. He also leaves behind his Mum Judy, Faye, the mother of his children and his step-father Bill and hundreds of friends, with over three hundred attending is funeral.

Graham was the life and soul of a party he was always cracking jokes and had a wicked sense of humour. He loved the company of other people and did not like being on his own, he had many friends and was very popular because of his bubbly personality.

A home which was once filled with his laughter is now shrouded with a deafening silence.

We miss him more with each day that passes and although a sentence has been passed today we will live with the legacy of the actions of Jordan Flattery, and will never have an answer as to why Graham had his life so cruelly taken from him.

We would like to add our heartfelt thanks to all the members of Hertfordshire Constabulary who have acted with such professionalism and we would like to thank them for all of their hard work and kindness and support to us throughout this process.”

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