The mother of a convicted drug dealer killed on Christmas Day has described how his toddler now repeats "daddy gone" and points to the roof as they say "daddy cry". Melaine Gardener's son Trey Johnson, 30, died within minutes of suffering a single stab wound to his chest with an eight-inch knife in Wolverhampton last year.
In September, brothers Richard Beckles, 21, and Tiego Beckles were locked up over the dad-of-two's killing. Richard was detained for life with a minimum term of 22 years for murder, while Tiego was detained for eight years for manslaughter.
Mother's statement to court
In a statement read to Wolverhampton Crown Court, Melaine said Johnson's toddler also asks "where is my daddy", adding: "How can we respond to this without being untrue?" She said Johnson had a 'bright future' and told how his death has placed the family under financial strain as she cannot currently work.
Melaine described her son as 'respectful', having a 'generous spirit' and that he was a 'bag of love'. She recalled Johnson's 'peaceful demeanour', his 'kindness' and 'willingness to assist and care for others'.
She went on: "Trey was a dedicated father and cherished brother and son. Despite the many challenges he faced, he possessed some good qualities and a promising future."
Family's grief and financial strain
Melaine described how it had been an 'exceptionally challenging endeavour' penning the statement in the wake of her son's killing. She said: "The day our son's life was scuffed out changed our entire lives and shattered our world. A part of our hearts died with him."
The mother spoke of the 'senseless and brutal way' her son was murdered - on a day she said 'we and the world celebrate Jesus' birth'. She went on: "This should have been a happy day but instead became our worst nightmare."
Melaine told of the 'profound grief and sorrow' which has 'enveloped' her family since her son's life was 'stolen'. To Trey's siblings, he was their 'hero' and 'confidante', the mum said. "He was always their source of unwavering support," she added.
As Trey's love for his children was 'boundless', significant family events will now be 'marked with a permanent void that cannot be filled', she said.
Mental health impact and forgiveness
The court heard how Johnson's death has taken a toll on Melaine's mental health. She is 'unable to mention his name or look at his photograph without breaking down'. Melaine is also 'unable to work' in the wake of his killing, which she said has put 'immense financial pressure' on her family.
"The household currently relies on a single primary source of income," she added. Melaine went on: "Why didn't death happen to me rather than my son who had a bright future?"
She said her son's death is a 'nightmare' she is 'forced to live with every day', describing how she has 'lost an important figure' in her life. Despite her grief, Melaine said she has 'extended forgiveness to both defendants', ending her statement by saying that she hopes they can 'reflect on their actions'.
Sentencing and trial details
On Tuesday, September 29, Richard, of Stafford Street, Willenhall, and Tiego, of Broadgate Way, Wolverhampton, both denied murder and causing grievous bodily harm with intent. Richard also denied having an offensive weapon - the knife used to stab Johnson.
Jurors convicted Richard of murder by a majority of 10 to 2, while Tiego was acquitted of murder but convicted of manslaughter by a majority of 10 to 2. Both were unanimously convicted of causing grievous bodily harm with intent, while Richard was unanimously convicted of having an offensive weapon. Tiego pleaded guilty to one count of having an offensive weapon - a baseball bat - ahead of the trial.
Sentencing, Judge Michael Chambers KC said he was satisfied the killing was a 'dispute between drug dealers'. In facts agreed by the Crown and defence, the trial was told of Johnson's previous convictions, including a 2018 conviction for causing actual bodily harm 'using a belt as a weapon' and a January 2021 conviction for two offences involving the supply of class A drugs in a county lines operation.
Prosecutor Mark Heywood KC said messages found by police on a Samsung mobile located in Johnson's Audi were 'consistent' with drug dealing 'in December 2025 and in particular, up to and including December 24, 2025'. A 'cling film package' containing 58.6g of cocaine, worth between £1,600 and £2,400, was also found in the Audi. Both brothers gave evidence during the trial, confirming they had 'confronted' Johnson over 'gossip' suggesting he had sold drugs to their mum, who was an NHS nurse at New Cross Hospital, in Wolverhampton. Richard confessed to dealing drugs himself during his time in the witness box, adding that Johnson was known as Gaza 'because he was violent'.
