Mr Aman died from a single stab wound to the chest following the attack on Barry Road shortly before midnight on June 30. He was pronounced dead at 1.07am on July 1, following attempts to revive him.
His killers were found guilty of murder by a jury in December but were sentenced on Friday, February 20, with many members of the local community voicing their opinions of their sentencing online, after they received 32 years combined.
The defendants, both of Llantwit Major, were each sentenced to life. Marcus Staniforth, 17, will serve a minimum of 17 years, while a 16-year-old – who cannot be named for legal reasons – will serve 15 years before being eligible for release.
We ventured out to King Square to see what the people of Barry really had to say about the sentencing of the two teen murderers.
One resident, Michelle Farley, 67, told the Barry and District News that this murder is reminiscent of that of her brother, Robert Farley.
Mr Farley was found in his home on West Walk, Barry, in September 2021 after being murdered with a hammer during an argument with his friend Lee John Whitlock. Mr Whitlock was sentenced to life with a minimum tariff of 18 years and one month before he is eligible for release.
“I know how his family feels,” she said.
“They’ll be in their thirties by the time they get out. They’ll still have a life ahead of them.
“My brother’s murderer got 15 years. They’ve got that. What’s the difference between being 60 and 16? You know what you’re doing at that age.”
Other locals gave their opinions on the sentence.
“I think they should bring back the death penalty – life should be life,” said one elderly resident. “There’s no real deterrent to keep them doing something like this again when they get out.
“They’ve got to be harder on them.”
“I don’t think age should come into something like this,” said another passer-by. “They shouldn’t get tried as children for something as serious as murder.”
Another resident shares the same sentiment, saying: “Life should be life. If you’re old enough to murder someone, you’re old enough to face the consequences.
“I’m old fashioned like that.”
