Pair jailed for murder after attacking pensioner
BIRMINGHAM POST
TWO thugs who robbed and murdered a pensioner in his own flat have been jailed for life.
Ian Knowles and Asmaila Mohamed stalked frail Robert Morrison to his Kings Heath home from a pub and viciously attacked him for his bank cards, mobile phone and jewellery whilst armed with knives.
The pair, both 20, even returned to his property when their first attempts to withdraw money from the cards were unsuccessful. They managed to steal just £120 on December 10, 2018. Mr Morrison, aged 69, died six days later in hospital having contracted pneumonia as a result of his injuries. Knowles, of Waterloo Road, Smethwick, admitted robbery, possession of a bladed article and cannabis as he was found guilty of murder by a jury. He was sentenced to life with a minimum term of 19 years before being considered for release at Birmingham Crown Court. Mohamed, of Geraldine Road,
Hay Mills, was found guilty of robbery and murder having denied both charges. He was sentenced to life with a minimum term of 17 years.
Mr Morrison, a wheelchair user, was described as ‘kind-hearted’ and ‘one-in-a-million’ by friends. On the night he was attacked he had been at his regular pub The Pear Tree before returning to his flat at Cocksmoor House.
Knowles and Mohamed had travelled to Kings Heath and tracked him down to the pub. They lay in wait at a bus stop for more than half an hour as Mr Morrison went past them.
The pair arrived at his flat for the first time shortly before 10pm.
It was argued on behalf of both defendants that their main intention on the night was to rob and not to kill Morrison. Their legal counsel asserted that any violence likely occurred spontaneously.