Teens guilty of murder in vape shop stabbing

Three teenagers have been found guilty of murdering a 17-year-old boy who was fatally stabbed after trying to barricade himself inside a shop.

Reuben Higgins died in Marston Green, Solihull, on 29 October last year in a "cowardly and sickening" attack which lasted 10 seconds, police said.

Abdurrahman Summers, 18, and two 15-year-old boys, who cannot be named due to their age, were convicted of murder by a jury at Birmingham Crown Court on Wednesday.

The three teenagers, who had denied the charges against them, are due to be sentenced on 5 August.

Police said Reuben and his friends were approached by a group of four teenagers in Marston Green before a knife was brandished and Reuben was chased towards the Vape Minimarket in Station Road.

He made a "desperate attempt" to block the door, shouting that the gang was trying to kill him.

Giving evidence during the trial, a man who was working at the shop on the day of the attack described how despite Reuben's efforts, the "very aggressive" attackers burst through the door and attacked him.

Officers said Reuben was "repeatedly stabbed" for 10 seconds in the leg, arm and chest before his attackers fled.

He died at the scene.

Summers and the two younger boys were arrested last November and later charged with murder.

Police said another suspect fled the country and is still wanted in connection with Reuben's death.

The defendants did not give evidence at their trial but statements they gave police were read out in evidence.

Summers, from Yardley, denied knowing Reuben and attacking him, adding he had played "no part in this tragedy".

One of the 15-year-olds said he was involved in an "altercation" in the shop, after there had been "aggression" between his group of friends and another, but denied stabbing Reuben.

The other 15-year-old did not submit a statement to police.

Paying tribute, Reuben's family said: "No sentence is going to provide justice for the evil that was committed against Reuben.

"Reuben was a loving son, brother, grandson, nephew and cousin, who will be dearly missed by his family and friends. Life will never be the same without him."

Det Insp Michelle Cordell said of the attackers: "Their callous actions that day ended Reuben's life in a matter of seconds.

"Their senseless behaviour has had a devastating and lifelong impact on Reuben's family, friends and loved ones."

She added that "everything possible" would be done to find the fourth suspect.

Follow BBC Birmingham on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.