Birmingham stabbing: two appear in court over Cody Fisher Boxing Day death at The Crane nightclub

Cody Fisher, 23, died after being stabbed on the dancefloor of a nightclub in Birmingham on Boxing Day
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Kami Carpenter, 21, and Remy Gordon, 22, have been remanded in custody after appearing at Birmingham Crown Court charged with the Boxing Day murder of footballer Cody Fisher. Both defendants were not asked to enter a plea to a charge of murdering Fisher, but pleaded not guilty to a linked charge of affray, also alleged to have taken place on Boxing Day.

Following a four-minute hearing before two magistrates, Carpenter and Gordon were ordered to reappear before a judge at Birmingham Crown Court on Wednesday (4 December).

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This follows a third arrest, where a 22-year-old suspect was arrested in London at around 3am on Thursday, West Midlands Police said. Officers said the man would now be questioned over the killing, who was stabbed on the dance floor of Crane nightclub in Digbeth on 26 December. The man is the third arrested on suspicion of the footballer’s murder, while four others have been arrested on suspicion of assisting an offender.

Two men were previously arrested over the murder of footballer Mr Fisher, who was stabbed to death in a Birmingham nightclub on Boxing Day. West Midlands Police said they held a 22-year-old in Birmingham city centre just after midnight on Wednesday while a second man aged 21 was arrested in London several hours later.

They are to be questioned on suspicion of murdering Mr Fisher, who was out with friends at a nightclub called Crane in Digbeth when he was stabbed. Officers said they were called to the club at around 11.45pm on Boxing Day and despite efforts to save him, Mr Fisher died 30 minutes later.

DCI Ian Ingram, from the West Midlands Police Homicide team, said: “We’re making good progress in our investigation and are building a better picture of what happened.

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“We’ve been really pleased with the response from the public and have already had a number of witness accounts and images sent through, which will help with our investigation. It’s vital that we hear from everybody who saw any part of what happened that night – no matter how insignificant they think it might be. Cody’s family and friends are devastated by what happened, and we’ll continue to work to bring them answers.”

Cody Fisher, 23, died after being stabbed on the dancefloor of Crane nightclub in Digbeth, Birmingham on Boxing Day (Photo: PA/Chris Jepson/Bromsgrove Sporting FC)Cody Fisher, 23, died after being stabbed on the dancefloor of Crane nightclub in Digbeth, Birmingham on Boxing Day (Photo: PA/Chris Jepson/Bromsgrove Sporting FC)
Cody Fisher, 23, died after being stabbed on the dancefloor of Crane nightclub in Digbeth, Birmingham on Boxing Day (Photo: PA/Chris Jepson/Bromsgrove Sporting FC)

The force has asked the public to send any pictures and videos to an online portal linked on its Twitter feed.

A statement published by the police and attributed to Mr Fisher’s family said: “They have broken our hearts; I have lost my best friend. My family and I are asking for privacy and respectfulness at this heart-breaking time.”

Mr Fisher, who played football for Bromsgrove Sporting, had been on a night out with friends when he was approached by a group of people and stabbed, according to the force. Despite efforts to save Mr Fisher, he was pronounced dead around half an hour after officers were called to the scene. Revellers at the nightclub criticised security searches at the event and recalled a “moody” atmosphere inside the venue.

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Sydnee Power, from Birmingham, described “groups of lads” who were “looking to cause trouble”. The 23-year-old told the PA news agency: “As soon as me and my friends walked in, we got a very weird vibe and the atmosphere wasn’t good. There were just groups of lads everywhere, most of them looked moody. A lot of them were definitely looking to cause trouble, they clearly weren’t there to enjoy the music.”

An 18-year-old man from Wolverhampton, who did not want to be named, said the incident was a “disaster waiting to happen”. He said of the security searches: “Me and the friend I was with, not once did we get asked to clear our pockets out even though mine were full. I had cargo trousers on with pockets full.

Crane Nightclub, Adderley Street, Digbeth, Birmingham, where a man was stabbed to death on the dancefloor. (Emma Trimble / SWNS)Crane Nightclub, Adderley Street, Digbeth, Birmingham, where a man was stabbed to death on the dancefloor. (Emma Trimble / SWNS)
Crane Nightclub, Adderley Street, Digbeth, Birmingham, where a man was stabbed to death on the dancefloor. (Emma Trimble / SWNS)

“They didn’t even touch me whilst searching me, they just followed the outline of my body with their hands then tapped me to say go on through. Obviously you want everyone to have a good time and enjoy themselves (but) when we got in I said to my friend: ‘That’s the worst search I’ve ever seen’. Anyone could have brought anything in.”

Bromsgrove Sporting described Mr Fisher as “a friend to many” at the club and sent its deepest condolences to his family in a statement posted on social media It said: “All of us at Bromsgrove Sporting Football Club are deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Cody Fisher. Cody was a friend to many at the club and we send our deepest condolences to his family and loved ones.”

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The Crane cancelled its New Year’s Eve event in light of the incident and said it was working closely with police as they continue to investigate. It has subsequently had its licence suspended. Birmingham City Council is reviewing whether Crane in Digbeth should be closed permanently. A meeting of the licensing sub-committee agreed the suspension on Friday (30 December).

A statement posted on the club’s Instagram page said: “We are all deeply shocked and saddened that a man lost his life last night as our Boxing Day event came to a close. Our thoughts are with the victim and his family and friends.

“We are working closely with West Midlands Police as they investigate this crime. We encourage anybody who witnessed this incident, or has any information to share which may help West Midlands Police, to contact them directly.

“We do not feel it is right to hold our New Year’s Eve event under these circumstances. All ticket holders will be contacted directly and refunded by the relevant ticket providers.”

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In response to suggestions that security on the night was inadequate, the nightclub added: “We have a thorough search policy in place for any and all patrons entering and leaving the venue. This includes the deployment of metal detectors, pat downs, pocket checks, wallet inspections, bag searches and age verification procedures.

“Searches are conducted in accordance with SIA (Security Industry Authority) guidance and best practice. The venue is patrolled by SIA security staff whom responded to the incident as it unfolded on the night.

“The relevant CCTV footage is with West Midlands Police and we are working closely with any requests to assist them with their inquiries.

“On Boxing Day we had an onsite paramedic led team as per our venue policy, who arrived at the scene quickly to administer first aid to the victim until the arrival of the Ambulance Service.”

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Police said hundreds of people were in attendance at the nightclub at the time of the stabbing and urged any witnesses to come forward.

Detective Inspector Michelle Thurgood, who is leading the investigation, said: “This was a young man enjoying himself with friends on a Boxing Day night out and our thoughts are with his friends and family today. We know there were hundreds of people in the nightclub at the time. While we’ve spoken to a number of them already, we still need to hear from anyone who was there and who witnessed or even filmed what happened.

“We believe that the victim was approached by a group of people, and was then stabbed, so we’re working hard to identify all of those involved.”

The scene remains closed while evidence is gathered and neighbourhood officers will be patrolling the area over the coming days to offer reassurance.

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