Teen jailed for murder of Ian Kirwan outside Redditch supermarket

A 15-year-old boy has been jailed for the murder of a man outside a supermarket in Redditch.

53-year-old Ian Kirwan was knifed in the heart by the teenager from Birmingham, who was part of a masked group of youths who "terrorised" members of the public on 8 March 2022.

The software engineer for Jaguar Land Rover had gone to B&Q to buy a light switch, before going into Asda.

It was there that he challenged the gang for messing about in the toilets of the store. He was then targeted on the car park, and fatally stabbed.

During sentencing at Birmingham Crown Court today, Mr Justice Fraser ruled that reporting restrictions would not be lifted, meaning the killer and three other defendants can not be named.

The 15-year-old has been sentenced to life, with a minimum of 14 years in youth detention, for Mr Kirwan's murder.

A 16-year-old boy was sentenced to a youth rehabilitation order for 36 months for violent disorder and possession of a knife. A further two boys, one aged 15 and one 14, were both given a youth rehabilitation order for 24 months for violent disorder.

In a statement to the court, Mr Kirwan's wife Lindsey praised her husband as "a big kid; a wonderful person who was full of love, kindness, and generosity".

"I really miss him in my life. I miss his ways that would drive me crazy but he always made me and our family and friends happy and there was never a day that we wouldn't laugh when he was with us," she said.

"Ian would always make us feel protected, secure and safe.

"Ian was the better half in our relationship. He gave people chances (and) was a fountain of knowledge."

"Ian would have helped anyone, even someone who had done him wrong. He had the biggest heart," she added.

She said the stabbing did not just take her husband's life, "it also took my life, my plans for the future and has an impact on all my choices".

Lindsey said "he died alone, surrounded by strangers who were kind enough to help him".

Describing him as her "rock" and "soulmate", she said: "Ian didn't deserve to die. He still had so much to live for."

Senior Investigating Officer, Detective Superintendent Leighton Harding, said: “I’m glad that justice has been done and that those involved will now pay the price for their actions on that fateful day last year.

“I’d like to commend Ian’s family on the incredible strength, courage and dignity they have shown throughout the trial and sentencing.

“I’d also like to thank the team who have worked tirelessly on this case, as well members of the public who came forward with information which was vital in the conviction and sentences handed to the youths today.

“We take knife crime incredibly seriously and I hope today’s sentence sends a clear message that we can and do take action against those who carry them. This case is a poignant reminder of the dangers of carrying a knife. They simply have no place in our society."

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