Fidel Glasgow killing: Specials singer Neville Staple ‘numb’ after grandson stabbed

The Specials singer Neville Staple has said he is “numb” following the fatal stabbing of his grandson Fidel Glasgow.

The 21-year-old man died in hospital less than 12 hours after being knifed in the stomach outside a nightclub in Coventry early on Saturday morning.

Mr Staple, who found fame with the Ska band in the late 1970s, told a news conference in the city: “It’s quite numb for me.

“The knife crime stuff that’s been around now, I’m really feeling that because when we do shows, we talk about that, encourage the fans if they know anybody to try to straighten it out. We’re advocates for don’t carry knives.

“At the moment I can’t even talk because it’s so shocking. It is tragic.”

Urging anyone with information to use a web chat facility on the West Midlands Police website, he said: “If they could come forward, that would be brilliant. They shouldn’t be frightened.”

Atikou Diallo, 23, who was arrested following the disorder outside Club M in Croft Road, appeared before magistrates in Birmingham on Tuesday charged with affray, grievous bodily harm, violent disorder and possession of a controlled drug.

A second man, also aged 23, who was found nearby with knife injuries remains in hospital in a serious but stable condition.

Detective Superintendent Matt Markham said Mr Glasgow’s attacker or attackers are still at large but told reporters there was no suggestion Mr Glasgow was deliberately targeted.

The detective said a “large group of people” left the club at around 5.20am on Saturday and “some kind of disturbance” involving a number of people occurred in Hertford Place.

Mr Markham, who said the motive for the attack on Mr Glasgow was unclear, urged anyone present but not involved in the disturbance to come forward as CCTV would show they were not culpable.

He said several people tried to intervene to prevent the attack that ended in the “tragic” death, and their actions “should be commended”.

Christine Sugary Staple, the victim’s grandmother and Mr Staple’s wife, said Mr Glasgow’s mother Melanie was “not coping very well, so she’s struggling, she wants to understand it as well because to just not know, he’s out one minute – dead the next.”

Kofi Staple, Mr Glasgow’s cousin, described him as “like a brother to me” and someone who was “just happy, always smiling”.

“He was my cousin. We need to try and find out what happened to him to get some justice,” he added.

On Sunday, just hours after the death, Christine and Neville performed at Coventry’s Godiva Festival as part of the Neville Staple Band, and called for an end to street violence.

:: People can give information on the force website, by calling Crimestoppers on 0800 555111 or ringing 101.

(c) Sky News 2018: Fidel Glasgow killing: Specials singer Neville Staple ‘numb’ after grandson stabbed