A man who stabbed a teenager through the heart during a street fight has been sentenced to life in prison.
Richard Johnson, 24, of Hyson Green, was found guilty of the murder of Joshua Bradley, 19, following a three week trial.
Johnson has now been told he will serve at least 25 years behind bars.
The court heard that Joshua died after coming to the aid of his friend who was assaulted during a fight in Thurland Street in February.
Joshua, a former boxer, sustained fatal injuries and died at the scene.
Speaking after the verdict, Det Supt Kate Meynell, who led the investigation into Joshua’s murder, said: “This was a wholly unnecessary death of a young man in the prime of his life.
Johnson purposefully took out a knife into the city centre, and brandished it when the fight broke out in a state of bravado.
Det Supt Kate Meynell, Nottinghamshire Police.
“There were several people involved in that fight that night, and Johnson’s use of the knife on Joshua resulted in fatal consequences. Carrying knives can never have a positive outcome. Someone will end up seriously hurt, or like this case, losing their life.
“For Joshua’s family and friends, that night changed everything. They will never see Joshua again, they didn’t get a chance to say goodbye and now have to try to go on without him.
“My thoughts are with them today, as they continue to deal with the devastation caused.”
Picture: Joshua Bradley.