A killer yelled “I’m still breathing” at his victim’s grieving family as he was jailed for life for murdering a teenager in a frenzied knife attack inside a vape shop.
Abdurrahman Summers, 19, shouted the callous remark towards Reuben Higgins’ relatives in court after being told he would serve a minimum of 19 years in prison for the brutal killing in Solihull.
The outburst came as Summers and two 16-year-old boys, who cannot be named for legal reasons, were sentenced to life imprisonment at Birmingham Crown Court on Monday for the murder of 17-year-old Reuben in Marston Green on 29 October last year.
Desperate Attempt to Escape
CCTV footage shown to the court captured the horrifying moments when Reuben desperately tried to hide inside the Vape Minimarket on Station Road, barricading the door with his body as four armed youths pursued him shortly after 6pm.
The teenager had been confronted by the group who accused him of threatening one of them with a knife on a previous occasion, though Judge Paul Farrer KC said there was no evidence to support this claim.
When Reuben refused to go around the corner with them, the gang reached for their waistbands and gave chase. Despite his frantic efforts to keep them out, shouting to the shopkeeper that they were trying to kill him, the attackers forced their way inside.
Fatal Ten-Second Attack
The court heard how Reuben was pulled to his feet and subjected to a frenzied knife attack that lasted just ten seconds. He sustained a fatal stab wound to the heart, as well as two further wounds to his thigh and one to his arm. One of the wounds penetrated 15cm deep.
Moments after being stabbed, Reuben pleaded with a store worker: “Call an ambulance, I’m dying.”
Paramedics rushed to the scene but the teenager had suffered catastrophic blood loss and died at the scene. One of the younger defendants callously returned to steal Reuben’s phone as he lay dying.
Life Sentences Handed Down
Judge Paul Farrer KC sentenced Summers, of Yardley, Birmingham, to life with a minimum term of 19 years. The 16-year-old who stabbed Reuben in the arm and leg received a minimum term of 17 years, whilst the other 16-year-old who “assisted and encouraged” the attack was given a minimum of 15 years.
All three defendants had been found guilty of murder following a trial in May, during which they refused to give evidence. Summers had erupted in anger when convicted, screaming: “Man never done nothing. I’m f***ing innocent bro. I didn’t touch no one bro.”
As he was led away from Monday’s sentencing, Summers turned and waved to relatives in the public gallery before directing his cruel taunt towards the jury box where Reuben’s family were seated.
Judge Sees ‘No Real Evidence’ of Remorse
Judge Farrer stated that Reuben was vulnerable due to his age and circumstances, noting: “He was unarmed, didn’t want trouble and was backing away in an effort to avoid confrontation.”
By contrast, the judge concluded all three defendants were armed and went out prepared for trouble. Addressing them directly, he said: “Your barristers tell me that you are remorseful – I see little real evidence of that.”
Prosecutor Richard Atkins KC had told the court during the trial that the group “hunted him down and killed him,” describing them as acting like a “pack of wild animals” who were “part of a culture where knives are worshipped and carried.”
‘My World Fell Apart’
In emotional victim impact statements read to the court, Reuben’s father Dominic Higgins said he “adored” his “precious, beautiful boy”, who was his first and only child, adding he “was becoming a man but never made it.”
Mr Higgins said his “world fell apart” when his son died and that he was now “consumed by uncontrollable darkness” and suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder.
Reuben’s mother Sarah Cooke described him as “my best friend, my mini me in likeness and personality”, adding she was now “heartbroken, lost and lonely.”
His stepmother Polly Hudson branded the killers as “heinous” and told them: “You may think your actions made you tough. They didn’t. They made you weak.”
She added: “Young men killing young men has to stop.”
After hearing the impact statements, Judge Farrer told the defendants: “This is the future you have consigned Reuben’s family to.”
History of Violence
The court heard that Summers was on licence at the time of the murder, having previously served part of a three-year sentence for six robbery offences, some involving knives. He had purchased a bus ticket to Spain after the killing before handing himself in.
One of the 16-year-olds has convictions for ten robbery and attempted robbery offences, many featuring knives. Anand Beharrylal KC, representing him, said he had a “very damaged upbringing” including physical abuse, neurodevelopmental conditions and was “susceptible to coercion and exploitation.”
The other 16-year-old, described as the most “aggressive” attacker, was said by his barrister Talbir Singh KC to have had a “difficult, unstable and nomadic” upbringing with evidence of “older peers having a negative influence” on him.
Gregory Bull KC, mitigating for Summers, conceded his client was “immature” and had a “difficult upbringing” but said his family had described him as otherwise “loving, kind, gentle and helpful.”
Fourth Suspect Still at Large
A fourth suspect, who is believed to have initiated the confrontation and delivered the fatal blow, remains at large after fleeing to Pakistan. Police say the hunt for him continues.
Detective Inspector Michelle Cordell, of West Midlands Police, said after the sentencing: “This was a cowardly and sickening attack on a defenceless young boy who was significantly outnumbered.”
“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 and my thoughts remain with them.”
“I hope that today’s sentences offer some comfort to them, as they continue to grieve his loss. The hunt for the fourth offender is on-going, and we will do everything possible to find him and bring him to justice.”
Judge Refuses to Name Young Killers
On Friday, Judge Farrer refused a media application to name the two 16-year-olds. After hearing evidence about the potential damage it would have to their welfare and rehabilitation, he concluded it was “not in the interests of justice” to do so.
The case highlights the devastating impact of knife crime on young lives and families, with Reuben’s stepmother’s plea that “young men killing young men has to stop” echoing the urgent need to address the culture of violence amongst Britain’s youth.
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