THREE men have been jailed for life for the murder of “talented” and “much-loved” Redditch musician Colton Bryan.
Mohammed Saddam Hussain, 24, Faisal Fiaz, 21, and Adam Carpenter, 21, were found guilty of murder and conspiring to commit robbery last month.
Hussain also pleaded guilty to perverting the course of justice.
Colton Bryan, 22, died of his injuries after he was stabbed five times with a 10-inch hunting knife at his flat in Guinness Close, Redditch on July 15 last year.
The man who is believed to have carried out the fatal stabbing - Mohammed Hammad Hussain - is said to have fled to Pakistan on the earliest flight he could board and is still being sought by the authorities.
At Worcester Crown Court today (Thursday, March 18), Hussain and Fiaz appeared over video link from HMP Hewell, and Carpenter in the docks, for sentencing.
Judge James Burbidge QC said the defendants engaged in the selling of drugs and that they all "hatched" a plan to rob the victim. He said: "Colton also ran an operation of selling cannabis to friends around Redditch."
Judge Burbidge told the court that Fiaz and Carpenter purported to be friends of the victim and that they both engaged in the "most despicable betrayal".
He told the court: "This was a joint enterprise to rob. Each shared the intention that the knife would be used if necessary."
In victim statements read out by Judge Burbidge, Colton was remembered by his family as a "talented" saxophonist with a love of music.
The court heard a statement from Colton's mother Lisa which said: "Since Colton's death the world has become a far darker place."
A statement from his brother Tyron said: "I've not only lost my brother, but a best friend."
A statement from the victim's girlfriend Chelsea Durber said: "He was the light of my life. Colton's life has been stolen."
Judge Burbidge added: "A family has been left grieving and shattered. Their loss is immeasurable."
All three defendants were sentenced to life imprisonment. Fiaz, of Millsbro Road, Redditch, was told he must serve a minimum of 23 years.
Hussain, of Oakfield Avenue, Birmingham, will serve a minimum of 24 years and six months. Carpenter, of Wharrington Hill, Redditch, will serve a minimum of 25 years.
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