“Why? That’s all I want to know.”
These were the poignant words spoken by Laura Webb, the grieving fiancée of Craig ‘Yankee’ Dean, as she addressed the two drug dealers responsible for his brutal murder. Her powerful statement during sentencing revealed the devastating impact of the crime on everyone involved.
Craig Dean, a 53-year-old father of three and former US Navy veteran, was viciously attacked outside Ms. Webb’s flat in Springfield Road, Kings Heath, on July 7 last year. The killers, Hamza Khan and Mohammed Rahman, targeted him in a “punishment” attack because he had directed drug users away from their ‘Ace’ drug line.
READ MORE: Wizz Air Warns Over 1.4 Million UK Passports Set to Expire Before Summer 2026
READ MORE: Sutton Coldfield BID Urges Installation of Permanent CCTV to Address Crime Vulnerability
Ms. Webb described her fiancé as a man filled with love despite his tough exterior. “He was a good person,” she told Birmingham Crown Court. Originally homeless, Dean had found stability living with Laura, with whom he had been engaged for five years — their commitment even marked by matching tattoos on their necks.
Dean was known for his kindness and willingness to support his community, often helping with odd jobs like window washing. He had big dreams with Laura: marriage, a business, and a peaceful life on a farm. His intellect and compassion had also helped Laura through her personal struggles.
“They have stolen the rest of my life,” Ms. Webb lamented, sharing the lasting fear and vulnerability she feels since the attack. Her emotional plea highlighted not only the pain inflicted on her but the broader ripple effect on the lives of friends and family.
“What you have done has ruined so many lives,” she told Khan and Rahman. “You were once his friends. Why? Why did this have to happen?”
The court sentenced Hamza Khan, 23, from Moseley, to a minimum of 17 years, and Mohammed Rahman, 25, from Hall Green, to a minimum of 17-and-a-half years, bringing a measure of justice to a tragic loss.