Two illegal immigrants have been jailed for life for the brutal murder of a Telford man who was choked to death in a robbery in Stirchley. Both were ordered to serve a minimum of 30 years.
Two illegal immigrants have been jailed for life for the brutal murder of a Telford man who was choked to death in a robbery in Stirchley. Both were ordered to serve a minimum of 30 years.
Gabriel Bhengu, 27, and Jabu Mbowane, 26, of Wolverhampton but formerly from Telford, were convicted of murdering 41 year old Neil Williams on April 5 last year and the murder of Sedgley man Andrew Owen, 42, ten days later.
Bhengu was also convicted of robbing five people and Mbowane four people between February 22 and April 15 across the West Midlands and Shropshire.
The pair attacked Telford woman Tracie Paxton by choking her with her scarf, before robbing her as she lay unconscious on the ground, as she walked home from work along the Silkin Way.
They are suspected of being involved in many other violent robberies across the West Midlands.
Mr Williams body was found stripped of his property, including watch, trainers, mobile phone and cash, on a path off Churncote.
Attack
Speaking after the case, at Wolverhampton Crown Court, Detective Inspector Paul Hughes, from West Midlands Police, said: “We have already started looking at other robberies. At the moment I cannot link them to any other robberies but I suspect that they may be.
“If there are any robbery victims who recognise this method of attack where the attacker puts his arm around the victim’s neck, who we have not yet been spoken to, I would advise them to contact their local police.”
Both killers were in the UK on expired visas. Bengu arrived in 2002 in the hope of finding work but turned to a life of crime.
Jabu Mbowane came in 2004 and the two became friends.
Both were unemployed and lived at various addresses in Telford before moving to Wolverhampton.
West Midlands Police linked up with Telford officers after similarities in the murders of Mr Williams and Mr Owen were revealed.
Both were walking home from the pub through recreational areas when they were choked by Bhengu from behind.
They were both stripped of their property as they lay lifeless on the ground.
The robbery victims were also targeted in the same way and had their handbags and property stolen by the two men who rifled through their pockets.
Bhengu’s girlfriend, Kashia Allen, 22, also from Wolverhampton was found not guilty of Mr Owen’s murder but found guilty of his manslaughter.
She had driven the two men to the robbery and murder scenes.
