Ex-youth footballer is jailed for at least ten years for murder of teenager he attacked with a bicycle chain who died from epileptic fit in bath 16 years later

A killer who clubbed a teenager over the head with a piece of wood and a bicycle chain has been jailed for life after his victim died from an epileptic fit 16 years later.Daniel Allright was just 16 when he was savagely attacked by up to five teenagers, including Jordan Burton, in Deptford, south-east London, on September 13, 2006.Burton, who was 14 at the time, caused Mr Allright to suffer a serious head injury when he beat him with a piece of wood while being egged on by his friends. He was found guilty of murder on Tuesday following a trial at the Old Bailey and was sentenced to life with a minimum term of 10 years at the same court on Wednesday.The court previously heard how Mr Allright, 31, was discovered dead in the bath at his home by his mother, Geraldine Henderson, on March 26, 2022. The previous day, he told his mother he had suffered another seizure that morning and complained of a 'headache' before failing to respond to further messages. Jurors were told Mrs Henderson found her son lying on his back in his underwear, with his body submerged. The bath water was warm and still running. A post-mortem examination found no evidence that he had drowned or suffered from any natural disease, and post-traumatic epilepsy was found to be the cause of death. Daniel Allright was just 16 when he was savagely attacked by up to five teenagers, including Jordan Burton, in Deptford, south-east London, on September 13, 2006 Jordan Burton, 34, was found guilty of murder on Tuesday following a trial at the Old Bailey and was sentenced to life with a minimum term of 10 years at the same court on WednesdayProsecutor Duncan Atkinson KC said he had suffered his first seizure in 2007 and was prescribed medication, but his epilepsy worsened in the months before his death.The court was earlier told that Mr Allright had been riding his bike with two friends when a group of youths attempted to rob them in Friendly Gardens.He tried to intervene, to which one assailant said: 'Want a fight?' and Mr Allright replied: 'No, what would I want a fight with you for? I don't even know you.'Mr Atkinson earlier told jurors: 'It was at this point that one of the white males picked up a piece of wood and handed it to the black male.'The black male told him to get off his bike, and hit him to the head with the piece of wood. Mr Allright got off his bike, and was hit again.'He later identified the defendant as this black male.'The group fled the scene with Mr Allright's bike when someone came out of a nearby shop and told them to leave him alone.He suffered severe head injuries and internal bleeding in the attack. Mr Allright (pictured) twice went under the knife, with the second operation 'removing part of his skull' and replacing it with a titanium plate to relieve pressure on his brainHe underwent two operations, the second involving the removal of part of his skull and its replacement with a titanium plate to relieve pressure on his brain.He went on to have four children, despite suffering from thousands of seizures.Mrs Henderson told the court her son 'had a heart of gold' and remained positive despite years of seizures and disability.She said: 'He was never bitter or angry about his situation.'The day I found my son dead is a day I live every day. Seeing my son dead in the bath will never leave me. I will never get over losing my son.'She said Daniel was a devoted father to four children, adding: 'Daniel will never see his children get married.'He will never see their babies. It has been taken away from him.'Victoria Henderson described her brother as 'the glue that kept us together' and said: 'He was my rock, the one who could always make me laugh...'She added: 'Our world stopped the day Daniel died.'Nick Corsellis, defending, said Burton, 34, was selected by Crystal Palace Football Club at the age of seven, which provided 'a very positive setting for him'.Burton was released by the club at the age of 13 due to an injury, which meant 'suddenly he had so much time on his hands', Mr Corsellis said.Judge Anthony Leonard KC said he was sentencing Burton on the basis of his age, as he was only 14 at the time of the attack. Burton, who was 14 at the time of the attack, caused Mr Allright to suffer a serious head injury when he beat him with a piece of wood while being egged on by his friendsHe told him: 'You took the leading role. 'It is quite apparent you were the ringleader within your group. 'You have had an opportunity to enjoy your life in a way that has not been open to Daniel Allright. For 16 years his family had to watch him suffer from thousands of seizures which was both painful and traumatic.'Your actions led to his suffering over a long period.'He added: 'No sentence I can pass, especially on someone who was 14, can possibly compensate them for their loss.'Burton glanced at Mr Allright's family sitting in court as he was led to the cells.He initially denied being involved but later pleaded guilty to violent disorder and unlawful wounding in 2008. The court heard he continued offending following the attack and has 14 convictions for 28 different offences.During his murder trial Burton denied wrongdoing, telling jurors that he had been pressured into admitting the assault in 2008.