Seven teenagers jailed for life for murdering Bailey Atkinson in Walsall high street
The seven killers of Bailey Atkinson who was fatally stabbed in Walsall's market have been given life sentences for murdering him in a ferocious attack.
Mr Atkinson, aged 21, was set upon in the town centre on January 28 last year in revenge for a stabbing incident involving the brother of his killers.
Sonny Loveridge, 20; Ronan McCulloch, 19; Benjamin Wilkes, 18, all of Bloxwich; Patrick Brookes, 18, of Walsall, along with three 17-year-olds were found guilty of his murder after a 10-week trial in March. The 17-year-olds cannot be named due to being aged under 18.
Today they were sentenced by Mr Justice James Goss at Nottingham Crown Court and were all given minimum life terms ranging from 18 to 23 years for their roles in the merciless attack.
Wilkes, of Guild Avenue; must serve at least 18 years; Loveridge, of Irvine Road must serve at least 23 years; McCulloch, of Livingstone Road, must serve at least 21 years; and Brookes, of Hunter Crescent, Harden, must serve at least 20 years.
The three 17-year-olds, who cannot be named because of their ages, must also serve at least 19 years.
All seven defendants have already spent more than 450 days each in custody.
The murder followed a stabbing incident involving Mr Atkinson and the brother of McCulloch in November 2022.
The killers, intent on revenge, travelled to The Bridge in Walsall town centre in two cars which had been previously stolen from outside homes. The two vehicles were used to chase the victim, who was with a female friend. They made attempts to run him over before six of the occupants in the cars got out.
He told his friend to “run” as he also ran uphill along the High Street, she managed to find somewhere to hide, but he was unable to escape them.
The group pursued him on foot armed with zombie blades and a machete and only stopped raining blows on him when passersby came upon the commotion and phoned 999. One of the weapons was left stuck in his back.
They fled the scene in the cars heading towards Willenhall where the cars were found burnt out in Slater Street.
In spite of being given open-heart surgery at the scene by emergency crews, who arrived within five minutes, Mr Atkinson died from multiple stabs wounds to his back, arms and legs in hospital a short time later.
Before he died, he was heard to say: "I’m going to die. Tell my mom I love her.”
West Midlands Police said he had moved to Walsall from Coventry two years earlier intending to escape a gang lifestyle, but sadly became embroiled in Walsall’s own rival groups.
Detectives launched a meticulous investigation, examining hours of CCTV and mobile phone evidence, plotting each of the defendants’ movements to establish their part in Bailey’s murder.
Det Insp Jim Mahon, of the force’s homicide unit, said: “Watching footage of a young man dying asking for a message of love to be passed to his mother is something that has haunted my investigation team.
“This attack is one of the most shocking I have seen in my time as a police officer. Bailey was unarmed and on a night out walking through Walsall town centre. This was a planned attack, the group had stolen cars and tried to use the vehicles to seriously injure him.
“They then set upon him in one of the most ferocious attacks I have seen. Four weapons were used, which included a ‘Rambo’ knife and machetes.
“This investigation was complex and extremely challenging. We made a total of 16 arrests and conducted 12 manhunts which led us all around the country to arrest the suspects. I pay respect to Bailey’s mother and family, who have had to endure this trial in the same court room as his killers.
“Again this highlights the tragic consequences of carrying a knife and conflict between groups of young people. One young man has lost his life, while others will face a long time detained in custody and live with the guilt of taking Bailey’s life.”
Two other male defendants were cleared of wrongdoing by the jury.