Brothers jailed for Christmas Day killing

Image source, Police handoutImage caption, Trey Johnson was pronounced dead at the scene, police said

Two brothers have been jailed for attacking a man outside a nightclub on Christmas Day before fatally stabbing him.

Richard and Trey Beckles carried out a "brutal and sustained" attack on Trey Johnson by De Fusion in Wolverhampton before later stabbing him outside a house in the city.

The 30-year-old died in the early hours of 25 December last year from a single stab wound to his chest. The brothers fled after the killing before turning themselves in days later, West Midlands Police said.

Richard Beckles, 19, was jailed for 22 years on Tuesday after being convicted of murder at Wolverhampton Crown Court with Tiego, 21, sentenced to eight years in prison for his conviction of manslaughter.

The brothers attacked their victim when he left the nightclub on Exchange Street in the early hours of Christmas Day.

Johnson was punched and kicked several times and sustained serious injuries, including a fracture to his left eye socket, West Midlands Police said.

Image source, WMPImage caption, Richard Beckles was sentenced to life to serve a minimum of 22 years on Tuesday

The pair left the scene and drove to their family address on Burcot Avenue, with Johnson also heading to the property.

He was seen by the brothers at the address, and CCTV showed Richard begin to chase him with a large knife, the force said.

Tiego recovered a large weapon from inside the home and followed his brother in pursuit of Johnson.

However, Richard went on to stab him in his chest.

Johnson was pronounced dead at the scene after paramedics and emergency crews arrived.

The brothers fled but went to Wolverhampton Police Station on 7 January, where they were arrested, detectives said.

Image source, WMPImage caption, Tiego Beckles was sentenced to eight years in prison after being convicted of manslaughter.

Following a three-week trial earlier this month, Richard was also found guilty of possessing an offensive weapon in a public place. Both brothers were also convicted of causing grievous bodily harm following the earlier attack on Johnson.

In a statement through police, Johnson's family said he was "a devoted father, a beloved brother and a cherished son" who had a promising future.

"Above all, Trey was a respectful and dedicated individual."

Det Insp Michelle Cordell, from the force's Homicide Unit, said the brothers subjected Johnson to a sustained and brutal attack outside the De Fusion bar and were "intent on further conflict and violence".

"When you choose to carry and use a knife, it is entirely foreseeable that serious injury is likely to be caused, and tragically, in this case, it led to Trey's death."

Their actions were "cowardly and heartless", she added.

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