Five teenagers who killed a much-loved dad in a sickening mob attack after banter over him looking like And and Dec have been locked up.
Danny Humble was walking home hand in hand with the woman he planned to marry, Adele Stubbs, when their happiness at their first night out after lockdown last May was catastrophically shattered by a gang of youths loitering near an underpass in Cramlington, Northumberland.
Owen Soones, just 16 at the time, who can now be named for the first time, was first to engage with the couple and the exchange was friendly to begin with. Exactly what happened remains unclear but it seems something was said that caused Danny to slap or punch Soones.
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What happened next was Soones, Alistair Dickson, Ethan Scott, Kyros Robinson and Bailey Wilson launched a ferocious group attack in which Danny was punched, kicked and stamped to death in front screaming Adele. Despite frantic efforts by Adele, who was a critical care nurse, and other medics, nothing could be done to save the 35-year-old, who has two young children.
A jury convicted soldier Dickson of murder while the other four were cleared of murder but found guilty of manslaughter. Now Dickson has been told he must serve a minimum of 12 years behind bars while the others were each jailed for six-and-a-half years.
Sentencing the teenagers at Newcastle Crown Court, Mr Justice Bennathan paid tribute to the “astonishing dignity” of Mr Humble’s family. He told the killers: “Friday May 28 should have been a happy night out as you and many others marked the end of lockdown by meeting with friends, socialising and going out for a drink. Yet what should have been a peaceful night out turned to tragedy when you five killed Danny Humble.
“He was 35. He was a much loved son to his parents and a loving father to two children. A healthy, gregarious young man preparing his future with Adele Stubbs. All that has been snatched away from him by the five of you.
“Danny Humble was with Adele Stubbs that night and it was heart-wrenching when we first saw them on CCTV walking fondly and happily hand in hand and the next piece of evidence was Adele Stubbs in floods of tears being interviewed by police trying her best to piece together what on earth happened.
“Nothing I can say or do and no sentence I can pass can heal the devastation you have brought about by the violence you inflicted on Danny Humble.”
The judge says the contact between the group and the couple was started by Soones, who spoke to Adele and he or one of them commented that Danny looked like Ant or Dec. He adds: “This was perhaps overfamiliar or showing off to friends but at that stage there was nothing criminal. How this exchange ended is unknown.”
The judge adds: “Looking at the mood of Danny Humble as shown by the CCTV and the fact they were alone, encountering seven young men, I don’t believe he would’ve done what he did next had the exchange been entirely friendly and respectful. There must have been some less amiable comment to lead him to act as he did.
“His actions that night were so slight compared to what you did it makes no difference. Danny Humble approached you, Owen Soones and slapped or punched you to the back of your head or the front. That act might have justified a punch in return. It’s rendered largely irrelevant to the sentence by the degree of group violence that followed.”
“All five of you set about him. He was punched by several of you as he was upright then once he fell to the ground he was surrounded and kicked and stamped on. The incident was over very quickly, perhaps 15 to 20 seconds.
“The jury’s verdicts make clear they found each of you were active participants in that group attack.”
Dickson, 18, of Hawkins Way, Blyth, was detained at his majesty’s pleasure, the equivalent of a life sentence for someone of his age, and must serve a minimum sentence of 12 years. Robinson, 18, of Woodside Avenue, Seaton Delaval, Soones, 18, of Newsham Road, Blyth, Scott, 18, of Chester Grove, Blyth, and Wilson, 19, of Mitford Avenue, Blyth, were each sent to young offenders institutions for six years and six months, of which they must serve two-thirds in custody.
Nigel Edwards KC, for Dickson, said there was no intention to kill and that his life has been “devastated” by the situation. He said he has regrets and continues to have aspirations.
Peter Makepeace KC, for Soones, says he has insight into what he did, was an immature 16-year-old at the time and remained at the scene afterwards.
Sharon Beattie KC, for Scott, said he has genuine remorse and “has to live with the consequences of his actions”.
Penny Hall, for Robinson, said: “He is thought of as a pleasant young man by those who have provided references. He has supportive parents.”
Jonathan Pigford, for Wilson, said: “He has expressed a high level of remorse and he was extremely distressed when speaking about the circumstances of this terrible, tragic event for the pre-sentence report. He is struggling to come to terms with the situation.”
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