Birmingham: Teenager 'hunted down' by men and youths before fatal stabbing in park, court hears

February 23, 2022

A 14-year-old boy was chased through a park by a "pack" of two men and three youths before he was fatally stabbed, a murder trial has heard.

George Khan, 39, and Michael Shields, 36, are accused of being the two older members of the group who "hunted down" the teenage victim in broad daylight on 31 May last year, according to the prosecution.

The other three teenagers on trial cannot be named because of their age.

Footage of the moment that Dea-John was fatally knifed on College Road, in the Kingstanding area of Birmingham, was played to the jury today, which the prosecution said showed all five defendants chasing him and then running away after he had been stabbed.

Opening the case for the prosecution, the Crown's QC Richard Wormald said: "They went to look for Dea-John Reid and after finding him in a park in Kingstanding, chased and caught up with him.

"He was then stabbed in the chest."

Mr Wormald added the 15-year-old, who is alleged to have fatally stabbed Dea-John in a "revenge attack", had armed himself with a kitchen knife before Khan allegedly drove all five to "hunt him down".

Turning to Khan and Shields, Mr Wormald said: "They are much older - in their late 30s - and you as you listen to the evidence you may think that their behaviour in positively participating in the attack was nothing short of a disgrace.

"They gathered together in a car driven by George Khan and searched for the group, of which Dea-John Reid was a part.

"It was a group attack, during which they each played their part, running after Dea-John Reid, blocking off his escape routes, and enabling (one of the youths) to chase down and fatally stab Dea-John Reid to the left side of his chest.

"The defendants acted like a pack, chasing down their prey."

Mr Wormald added: "Having carried out the attack, the group all then made off in haste - not one of them offered any support or comfort to Dea-John Reid.

"They simply left him to die."

Shields, of Alvis Walk, Castle Bromwich, and Khan, of Newstead Road, Birmingham, and the three teenagers all deny murder.

Hollie Davies, 36, of Waldon Walk, Birmingham, is accused of assisting an offender. She denies the charge.

The trial continues.

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