Teenagers jailed for vape shop stab murder

Reuben Higgins was fatally stabbed after trying to barricade himself inside a shop in Solihull

Three teenagers have been given life sentences for the murder of a 17-year-old boy who was stabbed after trying to barricade himself inside a shop to escape his attackers.

Abdurrahman Summers, 19, and two 16-year-old boys were convicted in May over the attack on Reuben Higgins in Marston Green, Solihull, on 29 October last year.

Reuben was stabbed inside Vape Minimarket on Station Road where he had tried to block the door, shouting his pursuers were trying to kill him.

At Birmingham Crown Court on Monday, Summers was jailed for life, and told he would serve at least 19 years in prison. The 16-year-olds, who cannot be named due to their age, were told they would be detained for 17 and 15 years.

Summers, of Yardley, Birmingham, was on licence at the time of the murder, having previously served part of a three-year sentence for six robberies, some involving the use of knives.

One of the younger defendants returned to steal Reuben's phone as he lay dying, the court heard. The phone has never been recovered.

Abdurrahman Summers was on licence at the time of the murder after serving part of a sentence for robberies, some involving knives

Police said the events of last year unfolded after Reuben and his friends were approached by a group of four teenagers before a knife was brandished and Reuben was chased towards the store.

When the killers gained entry at the shop, a fatal wound was inflicted during an attack that lasted just seconds.

Giving evidence during the trial, a man who was working at the shop on the day of the stabbing described how despite Reuben's efforts to protect himself, the "very aggressive" attackers burst through the door and set upon him.

The proceedings had also heard the killers acted like a "pack of wild animals".

A fourth offender, who has not been apprehended, participated in forcing their way into the premises, the court was told.

A police investigation to trace the individual, whom officers believe has left the country, is continuing.

The judge said Reuben was unarmed and was trying to avoid trouble when he was killed

Reuben died after suffering four stab wounds to his leg, arm and chest, inflicted by at least two knives.

Passing sentence on the three defendants, Judge Paul Farrer QC said Reuben was unarmed, did not want trouble and was backing away, trying to avoid confrontation.

"Your barristers tell me that you are remorseful - I see little real evidence of that," he told them.

As Summers was led away to the cells, he turned and waved to relatives in the public gallery and then, towards the jury box, near to where members of the victim's family were seated, said "I'm still breathing".

The sentencing hearing was told the murder of Reuben had left his mother "heartbroken, lost and lonely".

Reuben's father was said to be left with post-traumatic stress disorder and feelings of "uncontrollable darkness".

After the victim impact statements, Judge Farrer told the killers: "This is the future you have consigned Reuben's family to."

The judge rejected a media application to lift reporting restrictions preventing the 16-year-old defendants from being named, saying the removal of their anonymity was not, on balance, in the interests of justice.

Additional reporting by the Press Association.