Teenager guilty of murdering budding male model in ‘unprovoked’ attack

A teenager has been convicted of murdering a budding male model as he walked home from a pub - where he'd only been drinking water.

The 17-year-old stabbed James Brindley in a ‘seemingly unprovoked’ attack on June 23 last year.

James, who was 26-years-old, died in his parents’ arms just metres from his home in Aldridge, Walsall.

James was stabbed in a 35 second gap between phone calls. Credit: BPM Media

James had been to a pub with some friends, before walking home through a recreational area known as The Croft.

It was here he met the teenager - who cannot be named - who heard James on the phone to his girlfriend.

The teenager then stabbed James in a 35 second gap between phone calls.

James told his girlfriend - who lived in Manchester - that he had been stabbed and needed to call an ambulance.

She messaged him four times before calling his parents to tell them the dreadful news.

James was a budding male model and was into fitness. Credit: BPM Media

James had managed to make his way to the High Street where he then collapsed.

Paramedics performed open heart surgery on the pavement to try and save him, but he died in his parents’ arms just 400 yards from his front door.

DCI Chris Mallett, from West Midlands Police, said it was a ‘seemingly unprovoked’ attack which led to the biggest CCTV operation undertaken by the force. He said:

The teenager will be sentenced on Friday.

Aaron Kahrod, who is 21, was cleared of murder and manslaughter.