Man jailed for life for killing dad over drug debt

Kieran Carter was sentenced to life in prison for the murder of Daniel Rae

A man has been jailed for life for murdering a father of four over a drug debt.

Kieran Carter, 23, used a knife to stab Daniel Rae, 30, in the leg at a house in Treforest near Pontypridd in December 2023.

The Judge, Mr Justice Nicklin, told Cardiff Crown Court he was satisfied Carter "did not intend to kill" but was clearly "responsible" for Mr Rae's death.

Carter, from Birmingham, was told he'd serve life with a minimum of 17 years in prison minus the time he had spent on remand.

The court heard Carter was a drug dealer who came to Mr Rae's house on 17 December last year, looking to get money he was owed.

Housemates said they heard "a scuffle" and "fighting talk" coming from Mr Rae’s room before Carter left, with Mr Rae heard asking him to call an ambulance.

Mr Rae died from blood loss caused by the stab wounds to his leg.

Mr Justice Nicklin said Carter had been "callous" not to call the ambulance and that only he "knows the details of precisely what happened" that evening.

He said he believed Mr Rae had been the one who took a knife ahead of the meeting with his dealer, adding that the jury had rejected Carter's claim of self-defence.

Daniel Rae died from blood loss caused by the stab wounds in his leg

A victim impact statement was read in court from Mr Rae's mother Adele Webster, who said her son's four children, aged six, eight, 10 and 11, kept asking why they couldn’t see their father again.

She said one child told her "I pray every night to God for my daddy back and I keep waking up hoping it has come true".

She described Mr Rae as a "kind and loving person” adding that "his aspirations and dreams were cut short".

Ms Webster said "this was a meaningless attack over a stupid amount of money and a life has been stolen".

Mr Rae’s father, Anthony Rae, also addressed the court to highlight the impact on his grandchildren.

"They have been robbed of ever spending a Christmas, or another birthday, or any other milestones together. Sharing those precious memories with their daddy."

He said the way his son died was "horrific" and the family were "constantly tormented" by the thought of what he endured in his last few minutes.

"The way Daniel died will haunt us forever."

He said his son was "no angel", but had the "biggest heart, infectious humour", adding "your family love you dearly".

"You had your whole life ahead of you – flourishing at your aircraft-engineering training at university.

"Never could we have imagined your fate, to be callously cut down in an act of mindless brutality."

Carter also pleaded guilty to supplying class A and B drugs, specifically cocaine and cannabis.

The court heard he moved to south Wales from Birmingham and planned to set up a "county lines business" and was earning £200 to £300 a week supplying drugs.

Mr Justice Nicklin took these offences into account when sentencing and decided they should run concurrently.

Carter was sentenced to life in prison with a minimum term of 17 years for murder, four years for the supply of class A drugs and 12 months for the supply of class B drugs.

Two other people received suspended sentences for offences in connection with the case.

Amy Jones, who lived with Carter, was also sentenced for suppling cannabis with the court hearing she sold cannabis "edibles" for £15.

Ms Jones, 37, from Derwendeg Avenue, Glyncoch, was sentenced to 10 months in jail, suspended for 24 months for perverting the course of justice, after the court heard she helped treat a wound to Carter’s hand and helped him travel to Birmingham.

She was ordered to carry out 100 hours of unpaid work and undergo rehabilitation and mental health programmes.

Chad Joy, 33, from Garth Avenue, Glyncoch, was sentenced to nine months in jail, suspended for 18 months, for assisting an offender after the court heard he tried to retrieve items belonging to Mr Carter following the murder.

He was ordered to undertake 150 hours of unpaid work and undergo a rehabilitation programme.