CONVICTION AND SENTENCE FOR MURDER IN CASE PROSECUTED BY KATE BLUMGART KC AND JULIAN JONES

Clifford "Cliffy" Alvarez has been jailed for life with a minimum term of 26 years after he was found guilty of murder, reflecting his role in the death of Junior Osborne. He was also found guilty of having an article with a blade or point in a public place.

The trial was prosecuted by Kate Blumgart KC and Julian Jones, who were instructed by Wendy Westrope of CPS East Midlands.  The trial commenced at the Crown Court at Leicester on Monday 20th January 2025 before HHJ Spencer KC. The jury convicted Mr Alvarez on Wednesday 12th February and he was sentenced on Friday 14th February 2025. 

In May last year, in a trial prosecuted by Kate Blumgart KC and Jenny Burgess, Nero McLean was convicted of murdering Mr Osborne, 50, in Leicester on 27 September 2023. During the same trial, four others – Nevardo McLean, Theobald "Thendo" Budzwa, Moises Steiner and James Williams – were convicted of manslaughter. CCTV evidence showed the group together before, during and after Mr Osborne was fatally stabbed as he cycled along Narborough Road.

One man, who was seen to be part of the group, was riding a pushbike. He stopped in front of Mr Osborne as he tried to ride away – moments before he was stabbed. The identity of the man on the pushbike remained unknown at the point when the other defendants went to trial. He was just known as “DJ”.  Following their conviction, officers were able to identify ‘DJ’ as Clifford Alvarez and he was arrested on 9 July last year. 

Kate Blumgart KC, Jenny Burgess and Julian Jones all specialise in the prosecution and defence of homicide offences as well as other serious crime.

Media:  BBC News