Men jailed over tower block beating manslaughter

Hardi Hamad (left) and Dale Berry-Parkes, both from Birmingham, have been jailed

Two men have been jailed for killing a father of two in a tower block hallway.

Ali Salih Abdalaah, 36, was beaten to death at Brecon Tower in Ladywood, Birmingham, on 8 October 2022.

Dale Berry-Parkes, 32, who was found guilty of manslaughter after a three-week trial, was sentenced to 10 years at Birmingham Crown Court.

His co-defendant Hardi Hamad, 35, who had pleaded guilty to manslaughter with diminished responsibility, was jailed for 11 years and was also given an extended licence of five years.

The men, both from Birmingham, were also convicted of motor vehicle theft.

West Midlands Police said the attack happened after a woman contacted Hamad and Berry-Parkes to tell them she had been sexually assaulted.

"The two men then turned up outside Ali’s front door and fatally attacked him on his doorstep," officers said.

Ali Salih Abdalaah was beaten to death

Walking out the block of flats, CCTV footage showed Berry-Parkes throwing a set of keys to Hamad which belonged to Ali's car, the force said.

The pair then drove in convoy in the stolen vehicle and the car they had arrived in.

They were arrested four days later on 12 October 2022 after handing themselves in to a police station.

In tribute to Mr Abdalaah, his family said he was very hard-working, happy and kind.

"He was a loving father who dedicated his life to his children," a statement said.

"He loved to work within the community, volunteering to help those less fortunate than himself.

"Our lives have been shattered."

Det Ch Insp Laura Harrison from West Midlands Police said: “Two children have been left without a father due to the appalling actions of Hamad and Berry-Parkes."

Officers' thoughts remained with the family, she added.