Man due to be sentenced for Thame murder

Nathan Braim, aged 20, of Broadwaters Avenue, Thame, was found guilty of murdering Josh Harling last summer.

He is due at Oxford Crown Court today for sentencing, alongside Benjamin Eyles, aged 19, of Monks Hollow, Marlow Bottom, who was found guilty of manslaughter and conspiracy to commit grievous bodily harm with intent. 

Following the verdicts earlier this month, Senior Investigating Officer Detective Inspector Mike Roddy, of Thames Valley Police’s Major Crime Unit, said: “This was a needless and tragic incident which resulted in the death of a young man with his life ahead of him.

“Whatever the reasons were for the altercation on the evening of 22 July 2020, there can be absolutely no justification for the violence meted out by Braim and Eyles, who have both been found culpable for Mr Harling’s death.

“The fact that they had previously conspired with each other to cause Mr Harling significant injury four days earlier shows that this was not a random attack, and at the very least, Braim intended to cause Mr Harling serious harm.

“Although the jury found that Eyles was not guilty of murder, they did convict him of the lesser charge of manslaughter, concluding that he was in some way complicit in this incident.

“The background of animosity between the defendants and Mr Harling was surrounding drug supply rivalries in Thame, but despite this, the violence seen that night was completely unacceptable.

“I am pleased that the jury have seen fit to convict both Braim and Eyles of these grave offences, and they will now have a considerable term of imprisonment to reflect on their actions of that evening.

“The actions of Braim and Eyles have had a devastating impact on Josh’s family. They have had to come to terms with their unimaginable loss.

“I would like to take this opportunity to pay tribute to Josh’s family, who have had to listen to harrowing evidence in court in relation to his death.

“They have conducted themselves with tremendous dignity and bravery throughout not only the investigation, but also the trial, and I would like to offer both my condolences, and the condolences of Thames Valley Police.

“Although no amount of time in prison will ever be complete solace for Mr Harling’s family, I hope that the fact we have brought his killers to justice will serve as some form of closure.

“This needless incident also affected a number of other people in the town, and the wider Thame community.

“The supply of drugs in the Thames Valley, and indeed, across the country, often leads to incidents of violence, and this case highlights the dangers of being involved in such illicit activities.

“This case also shows the risks in carrying any type of weapon. If you carry a knife, you put both yourself, and others, in serious danger, and if you use a knife as a weapon, you can expect Thames Valley Police to robustly pursue you and put you before the courts where you belong.