The final victim to survive robbery by two illegal immigrants who then murdered two men today said that he and his wife would get on with life now.
Accountant James Rouse, aged 66, suffered cracked ribs and a damaged voicebox when he was held in a suffocating headlock.
Force applied round his neck meant he could not speak for three days after the attack and he says his voice has still not recovered its former strength.
Gabriel Bhengu and Jabu Mbowane attacked him yards from his home in Woodcote Road, Tettenhall, a day before they killed Telford man Neil Williams.
Bhengu, 27, and Mbowane, 26, both of Court Road, Newbridge, have each started a jail term of at least 30 years being convicted of murdering Sedgley father-of-five Andrew Owen and Mr Williams.
They were also found guilty of five robberies, including the attack on Mr Rouse on April 4. They denied all the charges.
Mr Rouse, among victims praised by police for giving evidence at the trial, said he was “glad it’s over now”.
“I’m just happy that in my lifetime I won’t be meeting them again,” he said.
He said: “I was taken completely by surprise and the next thing I knew my head was in an armlock and I was staring at the sky waiting for my next breath. I really didn’t know where it was going to come from.” He and his wife were trying to get on with their lives. “I just believe I have to move on as best I can,” he said.
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