Richard Beckles, a 19-year-old self-confessed drug dealer, has admitted to jurors at Wolverhampton Crown Court that he stabbed 30-year-old Trey Johnson, a father of two, on Christmas Day last year. However, he denies intending to kill Johnson or cause him really serious bodily harm, claiming he believed Johnson was armed due to his reputation.
Court Admission and Claim of Self-Defence
Giving evidence, Beckles said he thought Johnson planned to "get revenge" after Beckles and his brother, Tiego Beckles, 21, had assaulted him outside De Fusion club in Exchange Street. His barrister, Alison Summers KC, asked directly: "Did you stab Johnson on Christmas Day 2025?" Beckles replied: "Yeah." He also accepted that the stab injury caused Johnson's death.
When asked why he stabbed Johnson, Beckles said: "Because I thought he was going to stab or shoot me." He told the court he routinely carried a knife because he sold drugs, hiding it in his boxers to avoid detection by bouncers who pat down arms but not the "belly" area. The knife had an eight-inch blade, he confirmed.
Background and Drug Dealing
Beckles, now of Stafford Street, Willenhall, told the court he grew up in Wolverhampton and left school at 15. He started smoking cannabis young and became a "runner" for his drug supplier. He had his own drugs line at 17 but was arrested and imprisoned shortly after. At the time of the alleged murder, he was living in approved premises in Rugby after being released on licence.
When asked if he had "learnt his lesson about selling drugs," Beckles said "no" and confirmed he was still dealing in December 2025. He said carrying a knife was "normal when you are dealing drugs" because dealers might be robbed or approached to be taken off the area. He added that anyone approaching him would "wanna back off" upon seeing the big knife.
Two Violent Episodes on Christmas Day
The prosecution says the brothers left Johnson with a fractured eye socket after confronting him outside De Fusion club during the first of two violent episodes in the early hours of Christmas Day. Less than 30 minutes later, they allegedly chased Johnson near their family home in Burcot Avenue, East Park. Tiego, who had a baseball bat, did not inflict the fatal wound to Johnson's chest, but the prosecution argues he is jointly responsible for his death. Tiego has pleaded guilty to one count of having an offensive weapon.
Beckles told jurors he knew Johnson as "Gaza," a nickname given because he was violent. He said he had issues with Johnson after hearing gossip that "Gaza had been serving up Janine," suggesting Johnson had sold drugs to his mum, a nurse at New Cross Hospital. Beckles said he knew it sounded hypocritical, but explained: "When you lead the life that we lead, there is almost an unwritten rule that you don't sell drugs to someone's mum that you know, especially when that person doesn't take drugs."
Denial of Intent
Beckles accepted he assaulted Johnson outside the club and was not acting in self-defence. He said at that point he "just wanted him to take a beating" but denied wanting him seriously hurt. After leaving De Fusion, he saw Johnson in Burcot Avenue, where Johnson "swung his hand" at his face, and Beckles "swung back with the knife," nicking him with the blade. He accepted he was mistaken in thinking Johnson would use a weapon.
Richard Beckles denies murder, causing grievous bodily harm with intent, and having an offensive weapon. Tiego Beckles denies murder and causing grievous bodily harm with intent. The trial continues.
