A 15-year-old boy has been found guilty of murdering a shopper who was knifed to death after challenging him for messing around in a supermarket’s toilets.
Jurors convicted the youngster of the killing after hearing how 53-year-old Ian Kirwan was knifed in the heart by the youth – then aged 14 – acting as a part of a masked gang which ‘terrorised’ members of the public in Redditch.
The killer, from Birmingham, travelled with four other boys by train to the Worcestershire town on March 8, last year, where Mr Kirwan was subjected to a minute-long attack near the entrance of an Asda store.
Jurors cleared three of those other youths – two aged 14 and one aged 16 – of murder and manslaughter but found them guilty of violent disorder.
Ian Kirwan, 53, pictured, was stabbed to death outside an Asda store in Redditch on March 9
Police at the scene of the stabbing outside an Asda superstore in Redditch, Worcestershire
A 14-year-old boy claimed he forgot he was carrying a knife when he stabbed Mr Kirwan. He claimed he did not intend to harm the Jaguar Land Rover worker
A fifth boy, aged 16, was acquitted of murder, manslaughter and violent disorder, having claimed he was not involved in the fatal confrontation and could not have predicted it.
A ten-week trial at Birmingham Crown Court, was told Mr Kirwan, an artificial intelligence engineer who worked at Jaguar Land Rover’s Coventry headquarters, was an ‘unfortunate member of the public in the wrong place at the wrong time’.
All those convicted will be sentenced, at the same court, on February 15.
High Court Judge Mr Justice Fraser told the 15-year-old who was convicted of murder: ‘I know that your counsel will have explained this to you already – you are going to be sentenced to the youth equivalent of a life sentence.
‘But I am not going to pass that sentence (now) because I have to fix the minimum term. I am going to do that on the 15th of February.
‘You will be physically brought to court on February 15.’
The youth, who appeared by a video-link to a secure unit, showed little reaction as the jury returned its guilty verdict, glancing to his left and then at a floor, before continuing to watch other verdicts being returned.
After the verdict, Mr Kirwan’s widow said: ‘The decisions made by the youths on March 8, 2022, didn’t just take my husband from me but it also took my life, my plans for the future and has an impact on all my choices I make in life.
‘Normally when a person dies, they are surrounded by loved ones and family but because of the tragic circumstances of Ian’s death, he died alone surrounded by strangers who were kind enough to help him.
‘Nobody should ever have to die like that.’
Detective Superintendent Leighton Harding, senior investigating officer for West Mercia Police, said: ‘This was an appalling attack on an innocent man going about his daily life, which caused shock and upset in the local community.
‘I’m pleased that justice has been done today for Ian and our thoughts remain with his family and friends, who have shown incredible strength throughout the investigation and the trial.
‘I’d like to take this opportunity to thank the public for their help in identifying witnesses that were crucial to this investigation. We had an incredible response to our appeals and the information gathered was critical in securing this conviction.
‘I’d also like to thank the team who have worked on this case. It has been an incredibly complex investigation and they have worked tirelessly to ensure justice for Ian.
‘The danger of carrying a knife is painfully obvious in this very sad case. It is simply unacceptable for anyone to carry a knife.
‘Thankfully, violent behaviour on the streets in our area is a rare occurrence but we continue to work hard to keep our communities safe. Today’s convictions send a clear message that we will take swift action against anyone who carries a knife or engages in violence.’
In a statement, the Crown Prosecution Service said Mr Kirwan’s murder was ‘no accident’ after the youths involved had travelled from Birmingham to Redditch for a fight.
Lucy Myatt, a Senior Crown Prosecutor in the West Midlands for the CPS, said: ‘This was a senseless murder which has devastated Mr Kirwan’s family and friends.
‘The defendant went out looking for trouble and encountered Mr Kirwan who simply challenged the group of boys about their bad behaviour.
‘This encounter cost a man his life, and no outcome can replace the terrible loss his family has suffered.
‘I hope the outcome of today’s hearing serves as a stark reminder of the consequences of carrying and using a knife.
‘Those who choose to carry knives can expect to be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.
‘Our thoughts are with Mr Kirwan’s family at this difficult time.’
