The trial of two men accused of a fatal street attack in a Birmingham suburb has commenced at the city's crown court. Craig Dean, a 53-year-old man affectionately known as 'Yankee', died from serious injuries sustained during the incident last summer.
The Fatal Incident on Springfield Road
Craig Dean was discovered with grave injuries on Springfield Road in Kings Heath at approximately 5pm on Monday, July 7, 2025. Emergency services rushed the local man to hospital, but he succumbed to his wounds two days later, on Wednesday, July 9. The community was left in shock by the violent death of a man described in heartfelt tributes as a 'sweet and gentle' soul and a 'perfect, kind, considerate and caring gentleman'.
The Defendants and Court Proceedings
Following a police investigation, two men were arrested and subsequently charged with murder. They are Hamza Khan, aged 23, from Moseley, and Mohammed Rahman, aged 25, from Hall Green. The case against them was formally opened at Birmingham Crown Court on Tuesday, January 6, 2026.
The trial is being presided over by Judge Andrew Smith KC and is currently estimated to last for a period of four weeks. The court will hear evidence from witnesses and examine forensic details to determine the circumstances that led to Mr Dean's tragic death.
Community Impact and Ongoing Justice
The case has cast a shadow over the Kings Heath area, highlighting concerns about violent crime. As the legal process unfolds, friends and neighbours of the victim await justice for a man whose loss is deeply felt. The trial represents a critical step in establishing the facts of the case and delivering accountability for the attack that ended Craig 'Yankee' Dean's life.
