Applause and cheering as Swadlincote killer sent down for life

Applause and cheering was heard from the public gallery as three men - one of them from Swadlincote - were sent down for life for the murder of a drug gang rival. Jerome Christie, 27, of Chrysanthemum Court, Swadlincote, will serve a minimum of 28 years for his part in the murder of Jamie Benbow.

Christie and accomplice Ravelle Hutchinson stabbed Mr Benbow, 29, to death on the orders of the victim's so-called friend, and rival dealer, Calvin McLeod. Mr Benbow, a father, was stabbed at his home on Washington Drive, Handsworth Wood, Birmingham, on October 21, 2022.

Birmingham Crown Court heard the plan had been to rob Mr Benbow, a father, who was said to have supplied drugs to his friends on a 'modest' scale at the Beaufort Arms pub in Great Barr, Birmingham. The trio of defendants were recently all found guilty of Mr Benbow's murder, BirminghamLive reports^[1].

All three were sentenced to life. McLeod, aged 38, of Wheatley Close, Oldbury received a minimum term of 26 years. Christie, 27, of Chrysanthemum Court, Swadlincote, Derby, will serve a minimum of 28 years while Hutchinson, 26, of Cromwell Lane, Bartley Green, was told his minimum term was 25 years.

A number of Mr Benbow's friends and family members attended the court wearing white T-shirts which said 'JUSTICE FOR JAMIE' and 'BENBOW 29 FOREVER'. Many stood and clapped as the killers walked silently out of the dock. One person shouted 'what a result'.

Mr Benbow was stabbed shortly after 11pm on October 21 last year, staggering to his neighbour's home for help but dying on the doorstep. He had sustained 18 sharp force injuries with the deadly blow being to the upper right side of his chest.

Judge Francis Laird KC told the killers: "Jamie Benbow was a drug dealer plying his trade in and about the Beaufort Arms pub. Calvin McLeod, by your own admission you were also a dealer in drugs in the same locality. You knew each other well and appeared to be good friends. Despite that apparent friendship you, Calvin McLeod, organised the robbery of Jamie Benbow in his own home and you recruited Jerome Christie to carry it out."

The court heard Christie in-turn recruited Hutchinson and together with McLeod they carried out a reconnaissance trip to Mr Benbow's house so they knew where he lived. They then left with McLeod returning to the Beaufort Arms where he learned his target was at home.

Judge Laird continued: "You communicated that information to Jerome Christie which was the signal to put the plan into action. You, Jerome Christie and Ravelle Hutchinson, put up your hoods and left the car and you walked to Washington Drive to rob Jamie Benbow.

"In the course of that robbery you, Jerome Christie, stabbed Mr Benbow and killed him. You then carried out an untidy search of the premises and stole money and probably drugs as well."

Christie and Hutchinson ran from the scene and discarded the knife in a park, before going to count the money they had stolen and wash the clothes they had been wearing.

In an emotional statement Mr Benbow's sister described him as a 'loving and caring man who would do anything for anybody'. She said she could not believe his 'life was worth a few hundred pounds' adding: "His death shows us as a family he was too trusting as a person."

She accused McLeod of lying about how long he know her brother and said: "You don't need to say Jamie's name again. You were not his friend."

McLeod has previous convictions for robberies, possession of offensive weapons as well as causing grievous bodily harm with intent for which he was jailed for 14 years. Imran Shaffi, defending McLeod, said: "The principle intent was of course to rob. Serious injury was only to be caused if necessary. It has to be conceded this was a murder for gain.

"He was not present and not directly responsible for the escalation of this incident. Mr McLeod did not want Mr Benbow to be killed. He didn't desire it."

Christie's criminal record features drugs and gang-related offences, the court was told. Jason Sugarman, mitigating for him, argued: "He said in evidence he wished Jamie Benbow was still here. He regretted what had happened.

"When he went to that house he didn't want to kill anyone. This was a robbery gone wrong involving drugs."

Greg Bull, for Hutchinson, said: "He was recruited into this enterprise late. He was taking direction from others. There is no evidence he took a knife to the scene or that he used it. It can't be said he was a prime mover."

Despite his previous convictions for threatening someone with a bladed article and possession of 'Rambo' knife he added: "He is not a violent man."

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References

1. ^{^} BirminghamLive reports (www.birminghammail.co.uk)
2. ^{^} Car and house sustain heavy damage as police shut Burton street after crash (www.staffordshire-live.co.uk)
3. ^{^} Anxious wait for Rolls-Royce workers with firm set to axe 2,500 jobs globally (www.staffordshire-live.co.uk)
4. ^{^} Sign up for free email alerts to StaffordshireLive straight to your inbox here (data.reachplc.com)