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Mugging killers jailed for life | Mugging killers jailed for life |
(30 minutes later) | |
Two men who murdered two of their mugging victims in separate robberies have been jailed for life. | |
South Africans Gabriel Benghu, 27, and Jabu Mbowane, 26, both of Court Road, Whitmore Reans, Wolverhampton, were also found guilty of seven robberies. | South Africans Gabriel Benghu, 27, and Jabu Mbowane, 26, both of Court Road, Whitmore Reans, Wolverhampton, were also found guilty of seven robberies. |
Neil Williams, 41, died in Telford, Shropshire, and Andrew Owen, 42, died in Sedgley, West Midlands last April. | Neil Williams, 41, died in Telford, Shropshire, and Andrew Owen, 42, died in Sedgley, West Midlands last April. |
The judge at Wolverhampton Crown Court recommended that the men serve at least 30 years each. | |
He also said they must be deported after serving their life sentences. | |
'Victims vulnerable' | |
Both victims were walking home from a night out at their local pubs when they were grabbed around the neck, attacked and robbed. | |
Passing sentence, Mr Justice Goldring told the men they had selected their seven mugging victims because "each was in some way vulnerable". | |
Neil Williams and Andrew Owen were mugged near their homes | Neil Williams and Andrew Owen were mugged near their homes |
"Some were women walking home from the shop laden with bags, one was an older man smoking his cigar at the end of an evening," he said. | |
"Two, those whom you murdered, were on their way back home from the pub. They, you knew, were affected by drink." | |
Mr Williams and Mr Owen were killed within a 10- day period in April 2007. | |
Benghu and Mbowane had admitted mugging the two men, who were attacked near their homes, but denied intending the kill them. | Benghu and Mbowane had admitted mugging the two men, who were attacked near their homes, but denied intending the kill them. |
Benghu was found guilty of two counts of murder and Mbowane of one count of murder. | Benghu was found guilty of two counts of murder and Mbowane of one count of murder. |
Benghu and Mbowane are known to have entered the UK legally, but their visas had expired by the time of the murders and other muggings. | Benghu and Mbowane are known to have entered the UK legally, but their visas had expired by the time of the murders and other muggings. |
A third defendant, Kashia Allen, 22, of Crosby Close, Wolverhampton, was cleared of murdering Mr Owen but found guilty of his manslaughter and of seven robberies. | |
She will be sentenced later, after reports have been compiled. |