15 year old found guilty of murder

A 15-year-old boy, who was part of a masked gang terrorising shoppers in the West Midlands, has been found guilty of murdering an engineer who challenged them about their behaviour.

53-year-old Ian Kirwan, a married man from Redditch, died after being stabbed in the chest outside the lavatories of his local Asda supermarket.

The teenage killer had travelled from Birmingham by train with four other boys. The court heard that, on 8th March last year, the gang had gone into the lavatory and had banged on the door of a cubicle telling the occupant to hurry up. 

Mr Kirwan, an artificial intelligence engineer who worked at Jaguar Land Rover's Coventry headquarters, whose wife described him as "full of love, kindness, and generosity," later stood up to the youths when he saw them hanging around outside. He remonstrated with them about their behaviour, resulting in a brief, brutal attack on him by the teens.

Mr Kirwan was an "unfortunate member of the public in the wrong place at the wrong time," a 10-week trial at Birmingham Crown Court was told.

Little reaction was shown by the teen as the jury returned its guilty verdict. The youth, who appeared by a video link from a secure unit, only glanced to his left and then at a floor before continuing to watch other verdicts being returned. Three of the other youths, two 14-year-olds and a 16-year-old, were cleared of murder and manslaughter by the jurors, but were found guilty of violent disorder.

A fifth 16-year-old boy was acquitted of murder, manslaughter and violent disorder, after claiming he could not have predicted, and was not involved in, the fatal confrontation.

In a West Mercia police statement release following the verdict, Mr Kirwan's wife said she will "never recover" from his death and paid tribute to him.

Senior investigating officer for West Mercia Police, Det Supt Leighton Harding said: "This was an appalling attack on an innocent man going about his daily life, which caused shock and upset in the local community. I'm pleased that justice has been done today for Ian and our thoughts remain with his family and friends, who have shown incredible strength throughout the investigation and the trial".

All those convicted will be sentenced on 15th February.

The Johnson Partnership

Nottingham Solicitors

01159 419141