Sentencing of Draven Jewell, who killed Pennington dad Max Maquire, delayed as family not told about it

THE killer of Pennington dad Max Maguire had his sentencing called off after it emerged the victim’s family had not been told it was happening.

Draven Jewell (22) had been due to learn his fate at Winchester Crown Court on Tuesday after being convicted of manslaughter in May last year.

Jewell stabbed Max (23) to death outside the Royal British Legion in Lymington on 22nd October 2021.

But nearly a year-and-a-half later, a decision on his punishment had to be delayed by judge Mrs Justice Cutts because Max’s family had not been informed it was happening.

Prosecutor Jonathan Underhill said relatives wanted to witness sentencing and it would be “simply unfair” for it to go ahead without them.

There was no way they had time to get to the court, he said, and arrange issues like childcare.

The sentencing of Jewell was originally due to take place in July last year. But it has been repeatedly delayed as he has been receiving hospital treatment following his conviction.

Mr Underhill said he did not want Max’s family to hear the sentence from “either myself or the police on the phone”.

He said relatives wanted to be in court as they have a “clear need to achieve finality”.

During the hearing it was claimed that police had been informed at around 4.30pm on Monday that sentencing was to take place the next day.

But speaking afterwards, DCI Rod Kenny told the A&T: “We were only informed it was on at 9.30am this morning.”

The mix-up came after a court case the judge was hearing in Bristol finished late the previous day.

As reported in the A&T, Jewell was found not guilty by a jury of murder but guilty of manslaughter.

He was found not guilty of the attempted murder of Max’s friend Luke Gray but guilty of wounding him with intent.

He was found not guilty of inflicting grievous bodily harm against another friend, Georgia Hole, but guilty of unlawfully wounding her.

Mr Underhill told the judge that both Georgia and Luke wanted to be in court for Jewell’s sentencing.

Jewell had been living on the town’s Flushards estate at the time of the killing.

Defending, Sarah Jones KC argued against an adjournment and described the situation as “very unfortunate”.

She said Jewell was autistic and saw things in “black and white”, so a delay would cause him “difficulty”.

She added that he had “prepared himself for what he describes as D-day”.

Ms Jones also pointed out that Jewell had family members in court.

Mrs Justice Cutts said she appreciated that the defendant needed “finality” as well, but decided to adjourn the hearing until 17th April so Max’s family could attend.

But she warned Mr Underhill it would go ahead on that date even if Max’s family were not there.