'I forgive my son's killers' says mother of Wolverhampton Christmas Day murder victim
Teenager given life term for murdering man on Christmas Day
The mother of a man who died after being stabbed on Christmas Day told his killers that she has “forgiven” them for taking his life.
Trey Johnson died at about 3.30am December 25 last year after he was stabbed in the chest by Richard Beckles in Burcot Avenue in Eastfields, Wolverhampton during the second of two violent confrontations within the space of 30 minutes.
The 30-year-old, nicknamed Gaza, collapsed after being chased by Richard Beckles, aged 19, who was armed with a knife and Tiego Beckles, aged 21, who was armed with a baseball bat.
The younger defendant has been locked up for a 22-year life term for murdering him on September 28 at Wolverhampton Crown Court.
While his older brother was jailed for eight years for manslaughter after the jury heard he did not hit Mr Johnson and stopped chasing him.
Minutes earlier the brothers beat him up outside a city nightspot in Exchange Street over rumours he sold cocaine to their mother.
Richard Beckles claimed the victim had broken an unwritten rule among drug dealers - not to ply rivals’ relatives with narcotics.At the sentencing hearing Mr Johnson’s mother Melaine Bartley’s victim statement was read aloud by prosecutor Mark Heywood KC.
She stated that despite challenges he possessed many “good qualities” and was a “dedicated father, cherished brother and son”.
“I extend forgiveness to both defendants and hope they will reflect on their actions and lead fulfilling lives in the future.”
She stated that his death had a profound effect on the entire family, affecting their mental health and physical health.
Ms Bartley stated that her two-year-old grandson was heard to say “Daddy gone” and had crumpled up photos of him and was unable to understand why he was no longer at home.
She stated that it was difficult for her to comprehend how such a terrible thing could have happened on a what should be “a day of peace” when Jesus’ birthday was being celebrated.
She stated that instead of it being a happy day the family was left with profound “grief and sorrow“ and were “bereft and devastated” by his passing.
Allison Summers KC, defending Richard Beckles, said: “Mr Johnson’s mother says she had forgiven both defendants. It’s remarkable statement for a mother to make. Your Honour, Richard Beckles knows he will spend the better part of his young life in custody.
“He is only 19-years-old. Their beef with Trey Johnson was him having sold cocaine to their mother.”
But Judge Michael Chambers KC replied: “I do not accept that. This was a dispute between drug dealers and it was played out in a public place.”
Sentencing them he said the incident was yet another example of drug dealers using knives to settle scores with “impunity” on the city’s streets and the Black Country with disregard for members of the public.
At the hearing Richard Beckles admitted breaching a six-month sentence suspended for 18 months at Birmingham Crown Court in November last year, relating to him assaulting someone with two others at Merry Hill Shopping Centre on July 8, 2024.
He was still subject to the order when he attacked Mr Johnson.
He also had previous convictions for dangerous driving and possession with intent to supply class A drugs.He sentenced to 28 months youth detention and was released in June 2025 with a licence term due to end in November 2026, but was recalled to custody when he was arrested for the stabbing.
Tiego Beckles previous convictions included two years detention for heroin possession. He was released in October 2024 also on licence which ended in 2026.