Man gets life following Kingshurst murder

TRIBUTES: Flowers line the street in Kingshurst last summer.

A YOUNG man will serve at least 26 years behind bars after being convicted of a fatal stabbing in Kingshurst last summer.
James Atherley, 22, was today found guilty of the murder of Callum Lees, who he had stabbed in the neck during a house party at Westminster Court, in Hopwas Grove.
The 20-year-old victim had been found collapsed in nearby Haselour Road on August 6 and later died in hospital.
Atherley, of Wells Road, Solihull, had fled to Newcastle. He booked a hotel room under an alias but after a couple of days he was openly telling people his name, where he was from and enjoying nights out in the North East
A witness later saw a photo of the defendant in a police appeal on Facebook and alerted officers to the fact he was in the area.

He was arrested at the end of August and denied murder, arguing he had stabbed Mr Lees in self-defence.
But he was convicted following a trial at Birmingham Crown Court and this afternoon a Judge sentenced him to life in prison, with a minimum of 26 years in custody.
Det Insp Jim Colclough, said: "Our thoughts today remain with Callum's family - he was a young man who had his whole life ahead of him that was cruelly taken for no reason.
"This tragic case shows all too clearly the terrible consequences of carrying a knife and Atherley didn’t think twice about carrying and using one that fateful morning. He then selfishly went on the run to Newcastle putting Callum’s family through even more pain and heartache.
"I would like to thank the witnesses who have provided their evidence to the court. Their willingness to speak to the police demonstrated their courage and their desire to seek justice for their lost friend."
The killing sent shock waves through Kingshurst and was one of a number of serious crimes on the estate which prompted urgent calls for increased policing.