Mohammed Rahman, a 25-year-old drug dealer, accused of murdering a customer in Birmingham, revealed he earned up to £250 a day supplying cocaine and heroin. Rahman and fellow supplier Hamza Khan, 23, are alleged to have fatally assaulted 53-year-old Craig Dean outside his home on Springfield Road, Kings Heath, on July 7 last year. Dean, known locally as ‘Yankee,’ died two days later.
During his testimony at Birmingham Crown Court on January 21, Rahman admitted involvement in a violent altercation with Dean but insisted he acted in self-defense. He acknowledged knowing Khan for about five years and working on the so-called ‘Ace Line’ — a drug dealing operation active in Kings Heath, Moseley, and parts of Balsall Heath — for roughly six months prior to the incident.
Rahman denied owning the operation, stating it was controlled by someone higher up. He described earning between £200 and £250 daily, working up to six hours a day, five to six days a week. His role involved answering calls, sending texts, and directing the driver, Hamza Khan. He portrayed their roles as equal within the operation.
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Rahman also revealed a prior acquaintance with Dean, who he described as a regular customer known to frequent the Asda car park in Kings Heath. He claimed Dean was a “good customer,” whom he served more than ten times a week and who also brought others to purchase drugs. While denying any past conflicts with Dean, Rahman admitted that by June and July 2023, Dean frequently failed to show up after placing orders.
On the day of the attack, Rahman said Dean accused one of his customers of switching dealers, an allegation Rahman found confusing given his perception of Dean’s loyalty. The trial was paused before Rahman could detail the fatal attack but he mentioned Dean was aggressive, saying, “I was trying to protect myself in self-defense. He was a bigger figure than me, I was frightened.”
Rahman further disclosed his background, revealing he began smoking cannabis at 15 and supplying it to support his lifestyle. He fell into drug debt that culminated in a 2020 conviction for supplying crack cocaine and heroin in Surrey. Additionally, Rahman admitted to a police caution as a teenager for sending personal photos of a girl to her brother, an act he expressed regret for.
Both Rahman, from Hall Green, and Khan, from Moseley, deny charges of murder and manslaughter. The trial is ongoing.