Rashane Douglas, 19, stabbed Haidar Shah, 19, Joshua Clark, 21, and Brandon Coupe, 18, in the chest within seconds of each other following a row outside a nightclub in Halifax, West Yorkshire, in the early hours of October 1 last year. Mr Shah and Mr Clark died from their stab wounds, while Mr Coupe survived. On Tuesday, Douglas was jailed for life with a minimum term of 28 years by Judge Jonathan Rose at Bradford Crown Court.
He was found guilty earlier this year of murdering Mr Clark and Mr Shah, and wounding Mr Coupe with intent. Judge Rose told him: “This case is an illustration of the tragic consequences which can follow when a young man carries a knife in public.” He said: “If you carry a knife, you are more likely to draw it; if you draw it, you are more likely to use it; if you use it, you are more likely to cause injury or death.
” The court heard how Douglas was angry that a woman he had been expecting to meet at Maggie’s bar was with Mr Shah instead. The stabbings happened at 3.45am after Douglas with his friends, and Mr Shah with his friends Mr Clark and Mr Coupe, had all left the bar.
CCTV from the street outside showed Mr Coupe attempt to punch Douglas, before Mr Shah and Mr Clark cross the road towards him. Prosecutors said Douglas then pulled a knife from his pocket and held it in his right hand, appearing to hide it behind his leg. The footage then showed Douglas stabbing the three men, none of whom had a knife, before running away and apparently thr.
