Teenager found guilty of fatal Birmingham stabbing over e-bike
Ronique Thomas, 33, was stabbed in Kings Heath in April 2023.
Last updated 25th Jan 2024
A teenager has been found guilty of the fatal stabbing and robbery of a man in Kings Heath.
Ronique Thomas, 33, was stabbed in the early hours of 26 April last year, following a row about an e-bike.
Terrell Boyce, 18, from Hazellwell Street, was found guilty of murder at Birmingham Crown Court today (25 January).
He was additionally found guilty of robbery and possession of a bladed article.
Nathaniel Daly, 21 from Benmore Avenue, and Kody Stephenson, 20, from Stetchford, also stood trial for the offence.
Daly was found guilty of manslaughter, robbery and possession of a bladed article while Stephenson was found guilty of robbery.
Several months before in October 2022, Mr Thomas had his electric bike stolen outside a shop in nearby Highgate.
Later, in March 2023, he was with his partner in Highgate when he recognised what he was sure was his bike being ridden by Boyce.
When challenged, Boyce denied the bike belonged to Mr Thomas, but returned it to him nevertheless.
Shortly afterwards, Boyce made two visits to the workplace of Mr Thomas’s partner, demanding the bike be returned to him and making threats of retribution.
By chance, Boyce, Daly and Stephenson were travelling in a taxi to Stephen’s flat when they spotted the bike parked outside a shop on Kings Heath High Street.
Boyce instructed the driver to stop and all three got out of the vehicle. Boyce confronted Mr Thomas before brandishing a knife and chasing him on foot, striking him several times.
Daly, who was also carrying a knife, joined in the chase while Stephenson grabbed the bike from outside the shop. After the attack, the three men then made off.
Police arrested Daly on 27 April and Boyce, who had fled to Scunthorpe, was arrested the following day. Two weeks later, Stephenson handed himself into custody.
Detective Inspector Jim Colclough from West Midlands Police said: “This was a brutal attack and opportunistic robbery, which stemmed from Terrell Boyce’s promise to seek retribution against Mr Thomas.
“Tragically the opportunity presented itself to them by a chance meeting leading to Ronique Thomas having his life taken from him. While his family continue to endure his loss, I hope today’s verdicts will offer them some comfort that those responsible have been held to account.”
The three men will be sentenced at a later date.