BREAKING: Trio jailed for murdering teen in knife attack as he tried to hide in vape shop

Three teens who murdered a terrified boy as he tried to barricade himself inside a shop have been jailed for life.

Reuben Higgins, 17, was stabbed to death after his attackers forced their way inside a vape store in Marston Green, Solihull. He was repeatedly stabbed in the leg, arm and chest during the “cowardly and sickening” ten-second attack last October.

Reuben had tried to hide inside the shop, telling horrified staff the gang was trying to kill him. Abdurrahman Summers, 18, and two 15-year-old boys, who cannot be named due to their age, were convicted of murder.

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After a trial, Summers, now 19, and the two boys, now 16, were found guilty of murder. A fourth suspect, who is believed to have initiated the confrontation and delivered the fatal blow is yet to be brought to justice.

Today, all three were sentenced to life. Summers received a minimum term of 19 years. The 16-year-old boy who stabbed Reuben in the arm and leg was handed a minimum term of 17 years, while the other 16-year-old who 'assisted and encouraged' the attack was given a minimum term of 15 years.

As he was sentenced, Summers yelled 'I'm still breathing'. He shouted the sick and insensitive comment toward Reuben's family, who were sitting in the jury seats. In May when he was found guilty, he had a similar angry outburst, yelling 'I'm f***ing innocent'.

A Birmingham Crown Court on Friday, Judge Paul Farrer, KC, refused a media application to name the two youths. He concluded it was 'not in the interests of justice' to do so after hearing evidence about the potential damage it could cause to their welfare and rehabilitation.

Judge Farrer described Rueben as being vulnerable by his age and circumstances. He said: "He was unarmed, didn't want trouble and was backing away in an effort to avoid confrontation."

In contrast, the judge concluded all three defendants were armed and went out prepared for trouble. Prosecutor Richard Atkins KC said Reuben was “hunted down and killed" by the pack of youths.

Summers was convicted of robbery six times between 2020 and 2022 and also has previous for carrying a blade. One of the younger defendants also had previous convictions for multiple robbery offences involving knives while the other had a conviction for theft which was deemed 'perilously close' to a robbery.

Reuben’s dad, Dominic Higgins, said in a victim impact statement that his only child “was becoming a man but never made it”. He said he “adored” his “precious, beautiful boy” and was now “consumed by uncontrollable darkness”.

Reuben’s mum, Sarah Cook, said her son was her “best friend, my mini me in likeness and personality”. She added: “A piece of me is now missing.”

Reuben’s step-mum, Polly Hudson, told the three killers what they had done was “heinous”. She said: "You may think your actions make you tough. They didn't. They made you weak."

"Young men killing young men has to stop", she added. Talbir Singh KC, defending the 16-year-old described as the most 'aggressive' attacker, argued he did not deliver the fatal blow.

He told the court his client had a 'difficult, unstable and nomadic' upbringing, adding there was 'evidence of older peers having a negative influence' on him. The other 16-year-old has convictions for ten robbery and attempted offences, many of which featured knives.

Anand Beharrylal KC, representing him, said he had a 'very damaged upbringing', including being physically abused. He told the court he had neurodevelopmental conditions and was 'susceptible to coercion and exploitation', adding: "It's highly likely he has been operating for some considerable time under the influence of others."

Summers had purchased a bus ticket to Spain after the killing only to hand himself in. Gregory Bull KC, mitigating, conceded his client was 'immature'.

He stated Summers had a 'difficult upbringing' but his family had described him as otherwise 'loving, kind, gentle and helpful'.