A bricklayer from Exmouth has been jailed for 10 years for the ‘senseless’ killing of dad-of-three Denva Smith.
‘I never had the chance to say goodbye or hug him’ – Heartache of Exmouth murder victim’s mum as killers are jailed
Dad-of-two Ben Helliker, now 27, of Halsdon Road in Exmouth, is the fifth man jailed for the attack on 24-year-old Denva, who was stabbed in the arm and died in a dark garden in 2025, where he was chased, barefoot and bleeding.
Helliker, who stood accused of murder earlier this year alongside four other men, was found guilty of Denva’s manslaughter after a trial lasting eight weeks.
Judge Mr Justice Garnham said there had been a degree of knowing there was a plan to seriously harm Denva Smith, resulting in a five-on-one attack in Dinan Way, Exmouth, in the early hours of May 31, 2025.
He accepted Helliker had little or no involvement in any plan until he met up with Ward an hour before the attack.
The judge said Helliker had not played an active role in the stabbing, but had shouted aggressive abuse from the side lines.
Ben Hilliker was found guilty of manslaughter for his part in the death of Denva Smith.
Photo: D&C Police.
Mr Justice Garnham said Helliker had been a ‘latecomer to events’.
He said: “You had no involvement in the act or the chase. You stood by and no doubt gave moral and some vocal support but you played no active role.”
Sandip Patel KC, defence, said Helliker had not chased Denva on the night he died, but shouted, and been drunk and confused after drinking in the pub since lunchtime.
He said Helliker had become involved at ‘the 11th hour’, going straight to the pub from work, drinking with various people in the York Inn from lunchtime until 11pm, where he bumped into Ward.
Denva Smith, 24, from Exmouth, died from a single stab wound at the end of May 2025.
Photo: with permission.
Mr Patel KC said: “One thing that’s clear, is had he known what was going to happen he wouldn’t have gone near. He wouldn’t have left the public house.”
The defence lawyer told the court: “There was no preparation, there was no disguise. He was in his work clothes. He had no weapon. “
Mr Patel said there was no clear evidence Helliker knew Ward had a knife.
He added: “He is genuinely remorseful, not in a selfish way for himself but Denva Smith has lost his life and his family is bereft of a father.
“The reality is is his family is bereft of him but he knows the consequences of that and is ready to face up to them.”
Helliker had deliberately blocked Denva’s friend during the attack, shouting and swearing, warning him off with threats to kill if he tried to help, follow or call police.
Helliker refused to give evidence in court or speak to police when he was arrested.
Denva Smith died hiding in a stranger’s garden in Brixington where he had been chased after being attacked and stabbed once in the arm, severing an artery.
