Walsall man who bought beer minutes after killing father locked up for 15 years

Ravinder Heer, from Walsall, was caught on camera buying beer just minutes after he killed father-of-two Dale Grice in September last year.

Heer was cleared of murder but found guilty of manslaughter after a trial in March and was today jailed for 15 years at Birmingham Crown Court.

WATCH: CCTV shows killer buying beer after attack

Heer left 32-year-old Mr Grice bleeding to death after stabbing him in a residential road in north Birmingham in the early hours of September 7.

Mr Grice had been trying to protect Heer's ex-partner after Heer turned up outside her house and tried to get inside just before 7am.

Mr Grice - who was at the property in Cooksey Lane, Kingstanding, when his killer arrived - was trying to diffuse the situation when Heer turned on him and stabbed him.

Heer, a 37-year-old construction worker, fled in his car before entering a local shop and demanding alcohol from shop workers who had no idea what he had just done.

CCTV footage showed Heer having an argument with shop staff after he had just killed Dale and crashed his car, leaving it abandoned on a nearby road.

Less than two hours after the killing, Heer was arrested at gunpoint by armed officers on a pavement in Hamstead.

While in custody Heer asked officers “who grassed me up?" and he later admitted being under the influence of drugs.

In a week-long trial, Birmingham Crown Court heard how Heer knew Dale and stabbed him after his drunk and possessive rage over his ex-partner got the better of him.

Heer, of Pimpernel Drive, in Walsall, must serve at least 10 years in prison before he is eligible for release.

After the verdict, Mr Grice's family paid tribute to him, saying: "Dale was the most loyal, hardworking and loving son, dad, grandson and friend anyone could ever meet. Dale was the funny one in the family.

“He always had a smile on his face and his character would always bring someone out of a sad moment. He offered to do anything for anyone if they were in trouble.

“Dale always looked after his sisters by giving them money and helping them out. He would walk in the pouring rain with them.

“Dale lived for his two daughters. He will never see them smile or laugh again. They will never hear his silly jokes and he won’t get to see them grow up.

“We will never get justice for what has happened to Dale. We think we may be talking for everyone who had lost someone they have loved as much as we loved Dale.

“Dale will live on through his daughters and they will never forget how their dad loved them. We will never let his name dull. Dale Grice is one person that once met, you’ll never forget."