Tears in court as man admits killing 'dancing doorman'

A man has admitted killing a 36-year-old affectionately known as the ‘dancing doorman’.

Osagie Harrison Aimiyekagbon, or Harrison Marvin as he was commonly named, was well known for working as a doorman at bars in Stockport. Such was his personality, he earned the nickname the ‘dancing doorman’.

Mr Aimiyekagbon died last July following an incident in Levenshulme. Police previously said that he suffered fatal injuries after a 'fight' broke out on Rushmere Avenue on July 9.

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Samuel Opokiti, 30, of Rushmere Avenue, was charged with murder. But during a hearing at Manchester Crown Court today (Mon), Opokiti pleaded guilty to the alternative charge of manslaughter by reason of diminished responsibility.

Prosecutor Brian Williams told the court that Opokiti had been assessed by forensic psychiatrists instructed by the prosecution and defence, who both agreed that the criteria for the diminished responsibility defence were met in his case. Mr Williams said: “We accept that in the circumstances of the doctors’ opinion, this is not a case where we can secure a conviction for murder.”

The diminished responsibility defence to murder is available when a defendant’s responsibility is said to have been reduced by a mental disorder at the time of the killing. The full circumstances surrounding Mr Aimiyekagbon’s death have not yet been disclosed in open court.

A number of his loved ones present for the hearing, with tears being audible from the public gallery. Some also wore T-shirts which read ‘justice for Harry’.

Opokiti, who is being held at Ashworth high-security psychiatric hospital in Merseyside, was told he would be sentenced in November. “You have pleaded guilty to manslaughter,” Judge John Potter told him. “It follows that given that plea is acceptable to the Crown, there is no need for a trial in relation to count one on this indictment.

“You will be sentenced therefore in relation to count two, manslaughter, by me on November 15. The court requires further psychiatric reports in relation to your current mental health, and assistance as to whether or not it is appropriate for a hospital order to be made in this case.

“If there is to be such an order made, the court also requires assistance in relation to the type of hospital order to be imposed. I have come to no conclusion yet as to the appropriate sentence.”

Tributes flooded in for Mr Aimiyekagbon following his death. Friends and colleagues described him as 'kind and caring' with the 'best smile'.

Shaun, owner at I-Guard security where Mr Aimiyekagbon worked, said: "Taken far too soon, Harrison was an excellent employee who will be deeply missed by myself, our management and ultimately his colleagues he worked with. Harrison was a fantastic person who had a great personality and earned himself the title of 'The Dancing Doorman'.

"I laid flowers outside his house yesterday when we received the news we were all in disbelief and shock. He truly was a large part of the I-Guard family. Our sympathies and condolences go out to his family. Truly black and gold forever."

In a statement following the incident, Greater Manchester Police said: "At around 8.50pm on Sunday 9 July 2023, officers were called to reports of a fight between two men on Rushmere Avenue, Levenshulme. The victim – a 36-year-old man – was found with serious injuries and sadly pronounced dead at the scene by first responders."