Legal News

Birmingham Crown Court has sentenced three men to life imprisonment for the murder of an 18-year-old man in April 2015.

On the evening of 17 April 2015, one of those convicted, Montell Stephens, had visited a barber’s shop on Northfield High Street.

The victim, Sherriff Mbye, together with Omar Robinson and Rakeem Riley, had arrived in Northfield sometime after Stephens.

They went to a sports shop on the High Street and bought five knives. As the trio headed back to their car, they saw Stephens on the High Street, a short distance from the barber’s shop.

A confrontation then took place on the High Street, involving Mbye and Stephens. Rather than leave the scene following this confrontation, Stephens had actively sought a further confrontation with the others.

They met up on Lockwood Road with Robinson, having driven Mbye and Riley to the location.

Stephens approached on foot. He was now wearing blue surgical gloves and carrying a knife.

Mbye was also armed with a knife at this point and the pair proceeded to attack each other with the weapons in their possession. They each received serious injuries – but as a result of his injuries, Mybe later died in hospital.

Stephens fled the scene to the barber’s shop, where he collapsed and was treated for his injuries by members of the public. Stephens was later arrested and charged with murder.

Riley and Robinson were also arrested – owing to their involvement in the altercation and their encouragement of Mbye and Riley to fight with knives, both were charged with aiding and abetting the murder of Mbye.

At Birmingham Crown Court, Montell Stephens, 19, was found guilty of murder and was given a minimum jail term of 25 years.

Rakeem Riley, 19, and Omar Robinson, 21, were both found guilty of aiding and abetting the murder and were sentenced to minimum terms of 20 years and 22 years.

After sentencing, Senior Crown Prosecutor from West Midlands Crown Prosecution Service, Ian Crooks, said:

“Montell Stephens and Sherriff Mbye, both armed, fought in the middle of busy suburban area of the city. This knife fight brought about the death of Mr Mbye – and left Stephens with serious, life-threatening injuries.
“Stephens claimed that he acted in self defence during this altercation, despite overwhelming evidence to the contrary.

“He had ample opportunity to avoid the knife fight and leave the vicinity, but he chose to stay and actively sought such a confrontation.

“Omar Robinson and Rakeem Riley have today been sentenced for the aiding and abetting murder.

“The jury have determined that they were not just innocent bystanders – but by being involved in the purchase of the knives and being aware that those who were to fight were to do so with such weapons, they facilitated and encouraged the fight – and on that basis, they were properly charged and convicted of aiding and abetting murder.

“Today's sentences should serve as a warning to all those who either fight with knives, or encourage others to so do, that such conduct will not be tolerated.”

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