Four teens found guilty of murder in Stourbridge
Joe Riches was killed in broad day light last July.
Last updated 13th Feb 2024
“Joseph was an amazing young man who had the world at his fingertips.”
These are the words of the mother of 16-year-old Joseph Riches who was brutally murdered in broad day light in Stourbridge town centre by four teenagers last July.
All four have now been convicted of his death.
Joseph, from Bartley Green, was in Stourbridge with friends on Saturday 15 July, but for reasons only known to themselves, were intent on causing trouble with another group of teens who were in the town at the same time.
Joseph spotted the group and ran up to them at the bottom of the High Street. He attacked two of them with a screwdriver before trying to get in the car with his friends as they pulled up alongside him. But Joseph was unable to get in the car and ran off along Coventry Street as the opposing group gave chase.
One of the group had pulled a concealed machete from his clothing and three of them caught up with Joseph and pushed him into a hedge. They attacked him with the blade causing what would become a fatal blow to his chest as a fourth teen joined them.
Joseph managed to get to his feet and get in the car with his friends, who had driven up Coventry Street to meet him. Sadly his injuries soon proved fatal and he was found in the car which had been abandoned almost six miles away in Orchard Close, Rowley Regis.
Our investigation progressed swiftly and, after the machete was found by a member of the public under a fire escape in Stourbridge High Street, we arrested 19-year-old Dray Simmonds in Dudley the following day.
A short time later the same evening the other three - 19-year-old Joshua Edgington and two 16-year-olds who can’t be named due to their age – presented themselves at a police station. All four were arrested on suspicion of murder.
And today (Feb 13), a jury at Coventry Crown Court found all four guilty of Joseph’s murder. Even though Simmonds had inflicted the fatal blow, the other three were complicit in the attack on Joseph and were found guilty by joint enterprise.
Joseph’s mother, Sarah, is still trying to come to terms with her son’s death. She said: “Joseph was an amazing young man who had the world at his fingertips. He was kind, funny, caring, loyal and compassionate.
“His murder has left a huge hole in the lives of his family and friends and he will be forever loved and missed by us all. I will never forgive and never forget.”
Detective Chief Inspector Laura Harrison, from the force’s homicide unit, said: “This is another young life lost to knife crime.
“Only those involved will know the reason for the attack, but no doubt it was not worth the price of a life, or the lengthy sentences that those convicted are facing.”
Simmonds, from Dixon Green Road, Dudley, and Edgington, from Hallewell Road, Birmingham, both now 20, and the two 16-year-olds will be sentenced on Thursday (Feb 15).