Two jailed for 'punishment beating' drugs murder

Two men who murdered a homeless client of their drugs business have been jailed for life.

Hamza Khan, 23, and 25-year-old Mohammed Rahman attacked and kicked Craig Dean, known as Yankee, numerous times in Kings Heath, Birmingham, before stomping on his head and driving away.

The judge at Birmingham Crown Court told Khan he would serve a minimum of 17 years, and Rahman 17 years and six months, before being considered for parole.

The victim's sister, Barbara Hobson, told Tuesday's sentencing hearing: "His future was stolen in 38 seconds on Springfield Road. "

Relatives also spoke of the American's service with the US Navy and San Diego fire department, both of which left him with post-traumatic stress and contributed to a life of addiction and homelessness in the UK.

The court heard how the killers ran a drugs business known as the Ace Line, and wanted to "punish" the 53-year-old father of three for recommending an alternative dealer to other drug users.

Judge Andrew Smith KC accepted Khan, of Anderton Park Road, Birmingham, and Rahman, of Mapleton Grove in the city, did not intend to kill when they attacked Dean last July.

However, he said the evidence was clear they intended to cause "serious bodily harm" in what had been described as a punishment beating.

Rahman's longer sentence was due to his previous conviction for dealing in heroin and crack cocaine.

He also fled the country to Bangladesh, before returning to face arrest at Heathrow Airport after members of his family were detained for questioning.

Craig Dean's daughter, sister and partner all made victim impact statements before the sentences were passed.

Daughter Teryn Dean spoke in a video on behalf of her sisters Amber and Ashlyn, and said he had been a great dad who "coached our soccer teams and taught us to drive".

His eight years in the UK had been a hard life during which he had "turned to various substances", she said, adding that he would "never get to meet his future grandchildren".

Barbara Hobson said her brother "was the one who made us laugh with his wicked sense of humour" as their family of five grew up on a farm in Indiana.

She added that "Craig lived a life of service" in the navy and fire department, and never lost the instinct to help others in Kings Heath, performing CPR in the Asda car park where he often spent time and helped people with their shopping.

Laura Webb, Dean's partner of five years, said: "He was tough but had a lot of love inside him."

She said they regularly went to church together and the local community loved him.

"He had dreams. He wanted to marry me... and live on a farm. All of that has been taken away from me."

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