Teenagers jailed for 22 years for killing Wolverhampton father shot dead at drugs den

Mr Harrison sustained several machete wounds from the two drug dealers and was shot dead by Williams on December 30 last year at a well known Dunstall Hill drugs den.

However, Williams, of no fixed abode, was found guilty of manslaughter, wounding with intent and possessing a knife whilst teenage accomplice was found guilty of wounding with intent and possession of a knife.

Deavon's then girlfriend Kerry Francis was found not guilty of murder, manslaughter and wounding with intent, and walked free from court.

The two teenagers, who ran a drugs line in Wolverhampton, were sentenced at Wolverhampton Crown Court today. Mr Harrison's daughter and mother spoke movingly about their heartbreak caused by his death.

His mother told the court: "A part of me died on the day Deavon was killed. He was not perfect but he was loved by his children, grandchildren and wider family. I cannot believe he has gone. I sat through every day during the trial and had to listen to all the lies they made up. They are evil for what they did."

In mitigation, the court heard the two were being forced to work for a drugs gang at the time of the attack. The younger teenager had also been groomed by Williams since meeting him in a park aged 13.

Justice Barry Cotter KC sentenced Williams to 19 years and the 17-year-old to three years for their part in Mr Harrison's death. The judge made it clear he believed the manslaughter verdict for a man being shot dead after a knife attack was "an extreme example" of the definition of the charge. Justice Cotter praised the police and lawyers involved in "this very complex case".

He told the pair: "Deavon was loved father of seven and a grandfather, he came from a close knit family and this court heard moving tributes from his family. When your sentences are finished they still will be living with this crime."

"Those not directly involved in the events of December 30 will never know what happened. Drugs brought you and Deavon Harrison, drug users and dealers are often in conflict leaving devastating consequences. In just over a minute on that day Mr Harrison died after being attacked by machetes and shot through the chest by you Williams.

"I do not believe the version of events you gave to this court, or for that matter, that of Kerry Francis. Only you three, and maybe another man in the house, were there when the gun went off. You three picked up the weapons and left the property leaving Mr Harrison on the floor. None of you phoned emergency services."

He told Williams: "You were the lead partner in this attack, I sentence you Williams on the basis you got hold of the gun and it went off. It was pushed tight to the chest, there were other knife wounds to his head and cuts. One slicing action went down to his skull.

Williams was sentenced to 19 years for manslaughter, six years for wounding with intent and 18 months for possession of a knife, to run concurrent with the 19 years.

The 17-year-old was sentenced to three years for wounding with intent and possession of knife.

Justice Cotter told the boy: "You viciously attacked Mr Harrison. You were a drug dealer and said you would use a knife. Mr Harrison had one wound from a machete which sliced down to his skull.

"I have thought long and hard about your sentence, concerns were raised about you being exploited from a young age. I want you to have a chance to live a normal life. You can now make a choice to turn your back on the criminal world which will lead to having a miserable life."