Four Youths Locked Up for Life Over Stourbridge Teen’s Brutal Machete Murder
Two men and two teenagers have been handed life sentences for the savage killing of 16-year-old Joseph Riches in Stourbridge town centre. Joseph, from Bartley Green, was fatally attacked during a violent altercation with another group of teens on Saturday 15 July.
The Deadly Clash in Stourbridge
Joseph and his friends were in Stourbridge when they spotted a rival group of teens. Joseph ran up to confront them near the bottom of the 123. One of the attackers pulled out a concealed machete. Three of them cornered Joseph and shoved him into a hedge, attacking him with the blade. A fourth teen then joined in, inflicting a fatal chest wound.
Despite his injuries, Joseph managed to get into a car with his friends, who had driven up nearby Coventry Street to meet him. Tragically, he later died from his wounds. The car was abandoned almost six miles away in Orchard Close, Rowley Regis.
Swift Police Action Leads to Arrests
The machete was found by a member of the public under a fire escape in Stourbridge High Street. Police quickly arrested 19-year-old Dray Simmonds in Dudley the very next day. Later that evening, 19-year-old Joshua Edgington, 17-year-old Corey Burkitt, and 16-year-old Leroy Robinson voluntarily turned themselves in at a police station. All four were charged with Joseph’s murder.
Guilty Verdicts and Life Sentences
This week, a Coventry Crown Court jury found all four guilty. Dray Simmonds delivered the fatal blow but the others were convicted under joint enterprise rules for their part in the attack.
- Dray Simmonds, 20, from Dudley, and Joshua Edgington, 20, from Birmingham, were sentenced to life with a minimum of 21 years behind bars.
- Corey Burkitt received life with a minimum of 15 years.
- Leroy Robinson got life and must serve at least 15 years and six months.
All sentences were handed down at Coventry Crown Court on 15 February.
Family Reacts to Tragedy
Joseph’s mother, Sarah, said: “Joseph was an amazing young man who had the world at his fingertips. He was kind, funny, caring, loyal and compassionate. His murder has left a huge hole in the lives of his family and friends and he will be forever loved and missed by us all. I will never forgive and never forget.”
Police Warn Against Knife Crime
Detective Chief Inspector Laura Harrison from the homicide unit said: “This is another young life lost to knife crime. Only those involved know the reason for the attack, but no doubt it was not worth the price of a life or the lengthy sentences now imposed.”
