Shropshire Star

The devastated family of Shropshire murder victim Neil Williams today said hanging should be the only sentence for his killers.

Mr Williams’s 72-year-old mum and only brother, Paul Williams, broke down in tears as they left the courtroom yesterday at the end of a harrowing five-week trial.

They had sat through every day of the court case hearing how their beloved “gentle giant” fought for his life as he was violently robbed as he walked home to Stirchley, in Telford, after going to the pub one night in April last year.

They heard how he had begged his South African attackers, Gabriel Bhengu and Jabu Mbowane, to leave his house keys in a bid to protect his mother with whom he lived.

Bhengu and Mbowane were yesterday found guilty of Mr Williams’ murder and that of another man, Andrew Owen, of Sedgley.

Speaking after the verdict, Paul Williams, 46, said it was devastating that his 41-year-old brother, who “wouldn’t have hurt anyone” could not even go to the pub without being able to come home safely.

He said: “They are cowards and parasites that targeted decent hard working people going about daily life.

“They were prepared to use any amount of force on people for one reason or another they thought were at a disadvantage.

“In Great Britain the law doesn’t always give the sentence we all feel they deserve.

“The result being two males suffering great loss, but for the will of God it would have been seven.”

Mr Williams added: “It’s a pity the judge couldn’t put his black cap on and give us what we want. If we want to go to see Neil now we have to go to a cold churchyard but they are going to a warm prison.

“If you live by the sword you die by the sword. The only thing they are sorry for is getting caught.”

Breaking down in tears, Mr Williams’s mother, who did not want to be named, said: “It was Good Friday but finding out my son was dead, I don’t know what was good about it. He was never a bit of trouble. Neil was a golden lad to me.”

She said the DNA, police confessions and mobile phone records offered overwhelming evidence against her son’s killers.

“They should be hung because there’s no mistake here,” she said.

“It doesn’t matter what sentence they get, it’s going to be too short because they’ve still got a life and my Neil hasn’t.”

During the trial, the devastated mother had told the Shropshire Star of the moment she realised the body found just minutes from her home could be that of her youngest son.

“I rang Paul and said ‘Neil hasn’t come home’ and he said ‘He’s a big lad, he’ll come home’ but he didn’t.”

She visited her parents’ grave, to return to be told about the police activity on the park area off Churncote, but “ran away” from the scene because she feared it was her beloved son.

“All night my Neil was left without a coat - they even stole that, there was no need for that. They are pigs,” she said.

The family said Mr Williams “could and would do anything for anyone” and loved spending time at his allotment in Stirchley. His uncle and aunt now care for the allotment in his memory.

“If his killers had faced him instead of taking him from the back he would have given them what they wanted. He wouldn’t have even tried to touch them,” his mother said.

Mr Williams grew up in Dawley and went to Captain Webb Infants, Pool Hill Junior and Phoenix School before embarking on apprenticeships. He had worked at Flexiplan on Halesfield for 22 years.

His death has changed the family forever, they say.

Mr Williams’ 76-year-old father, who also did not want to be named, said: “Neil’s death is in my mind all of the time. He never did a thing wrong. I was always proud of both my lads.”

His mother added: “Life’s going to be very different without Neil.”

Mr Williams’s family also thanked detectives from Telford and friends and family for the “overwhelming support and compassion” they had had over the last 12 months.

The Williams family also thanked the people in the community for their compassion and support.

After the verdict, Detective Inspector John Elcock, who led Mr Williams’ murder inquiry, said: “This was a difficult investigation with very little information for the police to go on.

“No clues were left at the scene to assist us in determining what had happened to Neil but we were determined to find out exactly what had happened to him. I am pleased we were able to do that and have brought justice for him and his family.”

Mr Elcock paid tribute to both victims’ families for showing “tremendous composure” throughout the trial. He also praised the robbery victims, including Telford’s Tracie Paxton, for their brave and courageous efforts when they gave evidence.

The court had heard how South African Gabriel Bhengu arrived in the UK on September 20, 2002, in the hope of finding work and making enough money to send to his family but years later when money ran out he turned to a life of crime in a bid to fund his life in Britain.

His partner in crime came in 2004 when Jabu Mbowane arrived in the UK and the two young men became friends.

The unemployed men lived at various addresses in Telford when they first arrived in Britain, before moving to live together in Wolverhampton.

The two men had a plan - 6ft 4ins Bhengu jumped their victims from behind by throwing his arm around their necks.

As they feared for their lives, and despite the two murder victims desperately fighting for their lives, Bhengu overpowered them with his strength, while the shorter attacker, Mbowane, rifled through their pockets.

They believed everything the victim had on them was of value - belts, trainers, coats, cash, bags, jewellery - they took anything they could.

Then they left their victims for dead - not knowing how many they had killed.

Special report by Crime Correspondent Kirsty Marston