Two people convicted of murdering teenager in Walsall
Jack Norton, known as Jack Lowe, was stabbed in December last year.
Last updated 7th Jan 2024
Two people have been convicted of murdering a teenager who was found fatally stabbed in Darlaston.
18-year-old Jack Norton, known as Jack Lowe, died at the scene in parkland off Cook Street in December last year.
On 7 December, Jack and two female friends were walking along Franchise Street, when Brandon Price and a then 15-year-old stopped to talk to them.
All five walked into Cook Street and onto a grassy field, known locally as Cookie Park. The younger boy had become aggressive towards Jack and started making threats.
As Jack and his friends went to leave, Price swung at him with a knife without warning, striking him several times.
Price and his friend ran from the park laughing, as the two girls screamed for help and called 999.
Sadly, despite emergency surgery at the scene, Jack died from a stab wound to his heart.
Following a trial at Wolverhampton Crown Court, Price, 19, of Mellish Road and the now 16-year-old boy were found guilty of murder and possession of a bladed article.
They will be sentenced on 5 January.
"Unprovoked attack"
Detective Chief Inspector Hannah Whitehouse said: “This was a totally unprovoked yet premeditated attack on a defenceless teen, who was simply hanging out with his friends.
“His family still don’t know why he was targeted and this just adds to their distress and the injustice of his loss.
“I hope that the conviction of his killers gives them some peace as they continue to grieve.”
"We all miss you so terribly much"
Following his death, Jack's family released tributes to him. His mum, said: "Jack, our darling boy. The best son, brother, uncle, grandson, cousin and friend. How could anyone not love such a caring, beautiful and most loving boy like you?
"Jack you had the most beautiful smile, you would light up a whole room, always making everyone around you laugh.
"Our lives will never be the same without you, you had your whole life ahead of you and now it’s been snatched away in the most horrific way.
"We all miss you so terribly much, our darling boy. It still doesn’t seem real, feels like we’re in a bad nightmare we can’t wake up from.
"Now Jack, go and rest your head and sleep tight. Now, forever and always. Goodnight darling boy.”
Jack's Dad, said: "I love you Jack, you will always be my little boy. I thought about you every day - I’ll never stop loving you. I love you more than you’ll ever know."