Man jailed over Max Maguire fatal stabbing in Lymington

Draven Jewell had armed himself with a Huusk kitchen knife the night he killed the father-of-one near the Royal British Legion Club in Lymington, a court heard. 

Max, a fisherman from Pennington, had been at the club with friends when a fight broke out in the alleyway near the entrance soon after he left.

He was stabbed in the chest and pronounced dead at the scene. 

Jewell fled with his two brothers and returned home where he was arrested in the early hours of the next day.

Psychiatrist Dr Craig Forbes told the court Jewell’s autism means he has “difficulty understanding the emotions and perspectives of others” and a “lack of social interaction skills” – and is at risk of reoffending.

This was shown by the defendant’s description of his victims as “red in the face, like they had been told off by their dad”, he said.

Flowers after fatal stabbing outside Royal British Legion Club in Lymington. (Image: Newsquest)

The 22-year-old was cleared of murder after a month-long trial at Winchester Crown Court but was convicted of manslaughter in May last year.

Jewell, of Flushards, Lymington was also found guilty of two charges of causing grievous bodily harm with intent.

These related to the stabbing of 23-year-old Luke Gray, which left him with life-changing injuries, and 23-year-old Georgia Hole, who required stitches, during the same fight on October 22, 2021. 

He has now been jailed for 16 years with an extended licence period of four years. 

At a hearing today judge, Mrs Justice Cutts, said Jewell will continue his current hospital treatment order until he is deemed fit to move to jail to serve the remainder of his sentence.

She told the defendant: “Until you understand how your difficulties associated with your condition affect you, there is likely to remain a degree of dangerousness associated with it.”

READ MORE: Draven Jewell cleared of murder but convicted of manslaughter

Detective Chief Inspector Rod Kenny, who led the investigation, said: "Firstly, I would like to say that our thoughts remain with Max’s family, his friends and the two other people injured in this terrible tragedy.

"No sentence can ever bring Max back. Had Draven Jewell not armed himself with a knife that night then Max’s life would not have been ended prematurely and his family and loved ones' would not have to suffer the immeasurable pain his death has caused.

"It is a stark reminder that knives destroy lives.

"Reducing knife crime remains one of our top force priorities, and we will use all the powers at our disposal, from engagement and education to enforcement, to make our communities safer."

Draven Jewell. (Image: Hampshire Constabulary.)

His brother Garon Jewell, 19, from Flushards, Lymington, was also charged with murder, manslaughter, two counts of grievous bodily harm and two counts of grievous bodily harm.

But during the trial, new evidence came to light that resulted in all charges against him being dropped, with no further action to be taken.