Teenager, 15, sentenced to six-and-a-half years in youth custody for killing Dea-John Reid
A 15-year-old has been sentenced to six and a half years in youth custody for the manslaughter of 14-year-old Dea-John Reid.
The teenager from Birmingham, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was found guilty of killing schoolboy Dea-John Reid earlier this year.
In March, a jury at Birmingham Crown Court found George Khan and Michael Shields not guilty of his murder.
It also found a 16-year-old and two 15-year-old's not guilty of the same offence.
However the jury found the boy who actually stabbed Dea-John Reid guilty of manslaughter.
A statement has been read on behalf of Dea-John's mother, by community activist Bishop Desmond Jaddoo, he read:
"The life of Dea-John Read, my son, a young black man, did not matter," she said, adding that the defendant's family would be able to visit him in prison.
"My only visit to Dea-John is a grave in a cemetery. My only reunion with Dea John will be to join him in his grave."
A judge at Birmingham Crown Court today said the attack involved "the worst harm possible - the loss of a human life."
The judge added:"He was a son, a brother, an uncle, a nephew, a cousin and a friend. His mother’s victim impact statement shows just how loved he was.
"She is not even able to have a conversation with him face to face. That is because of what you did."
What happened to Dea-John Reid?
Dea-John died from a stab wound to his chest in College Road in the Kingstanding area of Birmingham at about 7.30pm on Monday May 31 2021.
The teen, who was a year nine pupil at Harborne Academy, is understood to have been chased in College Road by a group at around 7.30pm before being stabbed.
Police want to 'tackle the pandemic' of youth crime:
After the killing of Dea-John Reid, West Midlands Police said they want to 'tackle the pandemic' of youth crime in the region.
He was the fifth teenager to be killed in Birmingham in 2021.
Kate Seal of the CPS said: "Dea-John’s life was senselessly cut short by a violent act. He was an innocent boy who was not carrying any weapon and it is a tragedy that he died in such a horrific manner.
"His family has been deprived of the chance to see him live out his life and achieve his dreams and I can’t even begin to imagine the anguish they feel, knowing that he will never grow up beyond the age of 14.
"This tragic case highlights the devastation that carrying and using knives can cause in families and communities, and our thoughts are with Dea-John’s family and friends at this time.”