Three hatched revenge plan to stab man who humiliated them - causing disorder near West Bromwich
Three defendants were charged with attempting to murder the victim after a dispute
An 18-year-old and two youths hatched a plan to stab a 20-year-old man near a college in revenge after he humiliated them.
Soleh Uzair, of Beaumont Road in Halesowen, and his 17-year-old defendants, both of Smethwick, were all initially charged with attempting to murder the man during fighting in Oldbury town centre on July 2. The 20-year-old suffered a number of stab wounds during the incident which happened near Nova Training centre in Church Street.
He was taken to hospital and survived his injuries.
The defendants initially denied the attempted murder allegations and a trial was set to start on November 9.
However, after negotiations between the prosecution and defence lawyers all three appeared before a judge at Wolverhampton Crown Court on Tuesday afternoon where all instead pleaded guilty to alternative offences of wounding with intent and violent disorder.
Tim Storrie KC, prosecuting, said that the incident in the summer was not the the first time that there had been violence at the premises.
Mr Storrie said: “The evidence in this case has disclosed that these three men were party to the stabbing. They did it because one of the 17-year-olds wished to revenge himself after being humiliated by the victim.
“He was to be confronted in the street, isolated and stabbed. Each of them knew of the plan, each supported it and each of them participated in its execution. The victim sustained a number of stab wounds. They left him fighting for his life.
“They also left him with internal injuries.
“They disputed any responsibility for the harm they caused and denied any specific criminal intent, but this has now changed as a consequence of the pleas being entered.”
He explained that as a result of the defendants’ admissions there was no need for a trial.
Philip Brunt, defending, said he was unaware that there had been previous incidents of disorder involving the training centre and asked for time to make representations.
Judge John Butterfield KC agreed to the requests and said the sentencing exercise would take into account the question of whether the defendants, two of whom cannot be publicly named due to being under 18, were dangerous.
He told the defendants: “I am making it clear to you all that just because the matter is being adjourned for reports, that is not a hint or indication of how you are to sentenced. I my judgement it is appropriate for that material to be in the possession of the court.
“This is a serious matter and the form the sentence will take is matter for another day. In the meantime you will be remanded in custody.”
The victim along with his family attended the court to hear the defendants admit to what they had done to him. Others sitting in the public gallery were warned by a member of the court staff to refrain from taunting the victim’s supporters.
The case was adjourned until January 22 when all three will be sentenced for their crimes.
The judge also thanked the prosecution and defence barristers for their efforts to resolve the case without the need for a jury trial.
In 2025 West Midlands Police recorded 3,946 knife crimes compared to 4,642 in 2024, meaning figures were down by 696 incidents or a 15 per cent drop. Among the initiatives introduced following a series of murders involving youths, was the force’s Operation Guardian which is a dedicated taskforce targeting youth violence, knife crime, and robberies.
Oldbury, Smethwick and Wolverhampton are among some of the most affected by fatal knife crime incidents.