Solihull vape shop murder-accused branded a 'pack of wild animals who worshipped knives'

Abdurrahman Summers, aged 18, along with two 15-year-olds stand trial accused of murdering Reuben Higgins, 17, in Marston Green

Three young defendants accused of murdering a fellow teenager in a vape shop have refused to give evidence as they were branded a 'pack of wild animals' by the prosecution.

Abdurrahman Summers, aged 18 and from Yardley, and two 15-year-old boys who cannot be named, were also said to be 'part of a culture where knives are worshipped and carried'.

All three deny the murder of 17-year-old Reuben Higgins, who was fatally stabbed at Vape Minimarket in Marston Green shortly after 6pm on October 29.

READ MORE: Teen stabbed to death in vape shop was 'crying and screaming for help'

Yesterday (Monday, May 12), the trial jury at Birmingham Crown Court was told none of them would be giving evidence.

Beforehand, the prosecution read out Summers' prepared statement to police in which he denied knowing Reuben or attacking him.

A statement was also read out from one of the 15-year-olds, who has admitted manslaughter, denying he had a knife or knew anyone else had one during the incident.

The second 15-year-old has not provided a statement, while a fourth suspect, who cannot be named for legal reasons, is believed to have left the country.

Earlier today (Tuesday, May 13), prosecutor Richard Atkins KC reminded the jury that fingerprints from all three defendants were found on the door and window of the vape shop, where he said they had chased Reuben to.

Delivering his closing speech, he stated that an initial confrontation had taken place in the street moments earlier when the missing fourth suspect accused Reuben of threatening him with a knife on a previous occasion and then asked him to go around the corner, which Reuben refused.

Mr Atkins told the jury that at that point, the attacking group, including the three defendants, all reached for their waistbands.

He said: "What other purpose was there for them all to reach for their waistbands?

"It wasn't that all their trousers were falling down at the same time.

"They went for the weapons they had got caught in there. That's where they carried them.

"They were all carrying knives, weren't they? They went into Vape Minimarket and stabbed Reuben to death."

Mr Atkins argued there was no evidence Reuben was armed, adding he was pleading for his life as he told a worker in the vape shop, 'they are going to kill me'.

He stated the defendants forced their way into the shop, dragged Reuben up to his feet and repeatedly stabbed him.

He continued: "Then, when Reuben fell to the floor, fatally wounded, they kicked him before running off.

"A pack of wild animals acting with murderous intent."

Mr Atkins acknowledged it was the prosecution that had to prove the case, adding it was the defendants' right not to give evidence.

He said: "These three are not prepared to be tested.

"They have nothing to challenge the case we put before you because they have no answer.

"Nothing can explain what they did other than to confess they are guilty of murder."

The prosecutor replayed a short clip from Summers' phone showing him holding a large knife.

He reminded the jury he also had a previous conviction for possession of a knife.

Mr Atkins said: "The sad fact is these young men were part of a culture where knives are worshipped and carried, you may think, with the intention of using them if necessary and use them they did."

The trial continues.