Peter Wass trial: Kaiden Williams found guilty of manslaughter over fatal Chapeltown stabbing

A jury today reached the verdicts after hearing how the 29-year-old father-of-two, of Roundhay, was stabbed through the heart on March 2. Kaiden Williams admitted inflicting the fatal stab wounds that killed Mr Wass, but denied murder – claiming he was acting in self-defence after Mr Wass hit him with a baseball bat.

After a trial at Leeds Crown Court, the jury found Williams not guilty of murder after eight hours and 15 minutes of deliberation. They found him guilty of an alternative charge of manslaughter by a unanimous decision.

Williams, of Edgeware Mount, Harehills, will be sentenced on November 13.

During the trial, CCTV played to the jury showed Mr Wass and his friends driving around the Chapeltown area in convoy looking for Williams. Various snippets of footage showed the two cars driving around the streets, and Williams walking with his dog. He was then seen running as the cars approached.

Williams told the court he ran off and hid in a garden, before Mr Wass found him, cornered him and asked “where’s my bread?”. Those who witnessed the clash have refused to provide statements to police, but at some point Williams produced a long knife and plunged it into Mr Wass several times.

Mr Wass died just minutes after three stab wounds were delivered during the confrontation with Williams, including a 22cm fatal wound to the chest from a large knife which went between his ribs and pierced the top of his heart. It happened near to the junction of Hamilton Place and Hamilton Avenue shortly after 2.30pm.

A paramedic tended to Mr Wass and transported him to hospital, but he was pronounced dead shortly after 3.20pm. Williams gave evidence at the trial, and said he just meant to scare Mr Wass with the knife and not cause him harm, and didn’t know he had been fatally injured.

He said a £50,000 ransom was put on his head following the news of Mr Wass’ death. He booked a taxi to Hartlepool with his girlfriend, where stayed until the police arrested him 10 days later.