15-year-old jailed for manslaughter of Birmingham school boy
He'll spend six-and-a-half years behind bars for killing Dea-John Reid
Last updated 6th May 2022
A 15 year old boy has been sentenced to six-and-a-half years in prison for the manslaughter of Dea-John Reid in Birmingham last year.
The teenager, who can't be named for legal reasons, admitted to killing the 14-year-old with a knife on College Road in Kingstanding but that he acted in self-defence.
The 15-year-old was previously on trial with four others charged with murder, but they were acquitted after it took jurors three days to deliberate.
The cleared defendants were George Khan, 39, Michael Shields, 36, and two youths aged 15 and 16 who cannot be named due to their age.
Jurors saw CCTV of the killing and were told that Dea-John was attacked in "revenge" following an altercation which happened earlier in a park.
Jurors also acquitted 36-year-old Hollie Davies, of Waldon Walk Birmingham, of assisting an offender.
Mr Shields, of Alvis Walk, Castle Bromwich, and Mr Khan, of Newstead Road, Birmingham, and the three teenagers all denied murder.
Kate Seal, of the CPS, said:
"I cannot begin to imagine the crippling sense of loss felt by Dea-John's family and friends.
"The verdict of manslaughter will not undo the devastation felt by so many at the senseless loss of a young life. Such unnecessary violence has no place in our society and the death of Dea-John Reid should have never happened.
"The irrational use of violence that is now prevalent on our streets and in our communities must cease if we are to prevent further tragedies among our youth. While no verdict can return Dea-John to his family, my thoughts remain with them."