Drug Dealer Convicted of Murder in Fatal Stabbing Case

A drug dealer has been found guilty of murder after fatally stabbing an intoxicated man with a “large, Rambo-style knife” and subsequently disposing of the weapon in a river. Lee Crewe, aged 36, died on 14 May after being stabbed in Chepstow Road, located in Newport’s Maindee area. David Sisman, residing on Hubert Road in Newport, confessed to causing the victim’s death and to drug dealing on the night of the incident, but he pleaded not guilty to murder. However, a jury at Newport Crown Court unanimously delivered a guilty verdict for the 21-year-old on Friday. During the trial, prosecutor Mark Cotter KC stated that Mr Crewe was “an unarmed and intoxicated man who was retreating” at the time of the assault. Mr Cotter noted that Sisman had provided a no-comment interview to law enforcement, further remarking: “If you were accused of murder and there was a true and simple explanation as to why you had driven a large knife into the chest of another man, well, wouldn’t you be telling police that?” Tom Crowther KC, Sisman’s legal representative, argued that the attack constituted self-defence, asserting his client was safeguarding himself from Mr Crewe, described as “a roiling cauldron of boastful fury”. Mr Crowther mentioned a text message sent by Mr Crewe just prior to being stabbed, which stated “I’m jacking somebody”. He contended this indicated a plan to rob Sisman, also referencing the cocaine and alcohol consumed by the victim. He further stated that his client drew the knife “in the heat of the moment” and instinctively stabbed Mr Crewe, whom he described as “a much bigger man”, out of concern for his personal safety. However, while Mr Cotter acknowledged that Mr Crewe “may have been verbally unpleasant” upon approaching Sisman in the street, he maintained that being “a bit drunk and a bit aggressive because he wants to get his hands on some crack cocaine and he can’t pay for it” did not imply a physical threat to Sisman. As Mr Crewe was succumbing to his injuries, Sisman fled the scene, “heading to the hills” and discarding the knife in the River Usk, according to Mr Cotter. Judge Daniel Williams postponed the sentencing until November 28 to allow for the preparation of a pre-sentence report, informing Sisman: “The only sentence I can pass will be one of life imprisonment.”