Murder convictions over pub assault death

Mark Shorthouse, John Wise and Ryan Stanley were convicted of murder along with a teenager

Five people have been convicted after a man died following an assault in a pub in West Bromwich.

Matthew Adams, 33, was attacked at the Gough Arms on Jowetts Lane in the early hours of 19 March 2023, and died in hospital four days later.

On Wednesday at Wolverhampton Crown Court, John Wise, 43, from Sandwell; Mark Shorthouse, 54, of Church Vale; Ryan Stanley, 31, of Peel Street, West Bromwich; and a 17-year-old boy who cannot be named due to his age, were each found guilty of murder and violent disorder.

Nichola Stanley, 40, from Sandwell, was found guilty of violent disorder. They are all due to be sentenced on 30 January.

West Midlands Police said Mr Adams was at the pub with his parter for a family disco, and shortly after midnight, the group walked into the pub.

After a while, derogatory comments were made towards Mr Adams' partner and disorder broke out, during which Mr Adams was punched and kicked in the head and body.

Nichola Stanley was found guilty of violent disorder

During the attack, the unnamed teenage boy picked up a floor sign and used it as a weapon to assault him.

Mr Adams was taken outside the pub, and the violence escalated, leaving him knocked unconscious for nearly three minutes.

After the attack, the defendants fled, and Mr Adams went back home to recover.

He died on 23 March after suffering a cardiac arrest.

After speaking to witnesses and looking at CCTV, the five were arrested in relation to his death and later charged.

"Wise, Shorthouse, Stanley and the teenager subjected Matthew to a brutal attack where he was punched, kicked and dragged on the floor," said Det Insp Joe Davenport from the force's homicide unit.

"The violence and their desire to keep attacking despite Matthew's clear injuries was vicious.

"Nichola Stanley repeatedly hit Matthew and others in the pub, adding to the out-of-control disorder."

Matthew Adams died four days after the attack

Mr Adams family said they were living a "nightmare".

"Matt's children have lost a devoted daddy," they said.

"Matt was a loving son, an adored younger brother, a kind and generous uncle, a much-loved cousin and a loyal friend to many.

"Matt's smile and cheeky laugh could cheer up the darkest of days and his sense of humour will always be remembered by us all."

They added that they were were appalled by the violence to which he was subjected, and said there was "little or no remorse shown from those involved".