Men jailed for violent murders

Two South African men who lived illegally in Wolverhampton have been given 30 years in jail for murdering two men who were strangled during separate street robberies.

A jury at Wolverhampton Crown Court took just over six hours to convict Gabriel Bhengu and Jabu Mbowane, both 26, of murdering Andrew Owen (right) and Neil Williams (left) in April last year.

The defendants, both of Court Road, Whitmore Reans had admitted mugging the victims near their homes in Sedgley, West Midlands, and Telford, Shropshire, but denied intending to harm them.

A third defendant, 22-year-old Kashia Allen, was found guilty of the manslaughter of Mr Owen, who died after being put in a necklock as he was robbed.

The jury was told during a five-week trial that Mr Williams, 41, was killed in Telford 10 days before 42-year-old Mr Owen died in Sedgley.

Both were walking home from a night out at their local pubs when they were violently grabbed around the neck and robbed of their belongings.

Bhengu and Allen, of Crosby Close, Farndale, Wolverhampton, were also convicted of five counts of robbery, while Mbowane was convicted of four robbery charges.

Bhengu and Mbowane may be sentenced on Friday by Mr Justice Goldring, who thanked the jury for showing great care in reaching its verdicts.

It is not yet known when Allen, who was cleared by the jury of Mr Owen's murder, will be sentenced for his manslaughter and her part in five other robberies.

Click here to listen to Detective Inspector Paul Hughes from West Midlands Police who led the operation...♦

Click here to listen to the victim's brothers Paul Williams and Chris Owen...♦