Birmingham man and woman jailed for murdering step-brother

A man and woman have been jailed for the murder of his vulnerable step-brother.

Kenneth Newton, 57, and his partner Melanie James, 63, both from Birmingham, inflicted severe abuse on 28-year-old Rubin Blount while he was under their care.

Both were sentenced to life in prison, with a minimum term of 21 years, at Stafford Crown Court on Friday.

Blount, from Tamworth, Staffordshire, was taken to hospital after becoming unwell on 27 November 2022, where he later suffered a heart attack.

After resuscitating Blount, who weighed only six stone (40kg), doctors found he had extensive pneumonia, severe infection, rib and spine fractures, as well as burns, lesions and grazes. He died three days later.

Staffordshire Police said their investigation revealed that Newton and James threatened, verbally abused, and physically assaulted Blount in their home.

They mocked his appearance and intellect and forced him to stand for prolonged periods of time.

He had suffered 50 rib fractures, 47 of which had been inflicted in the weeks leading up to his death.