A teenager accused of murdering a father on Christmas Day told his victim "serves you right" and "for doing that to my mum" moments after the fatal stabbing, a jury at Wolverhampton Crown Court has heard.
Richard Beckles, 19, allegedly inflicted a fatal chest wound on Trey Johnson, 30, with an eight-inch knife in Burcot Avenue, East Park, Wolverhampton, on December 25, 2025. Beckles, who denies murder, claims he acted in self-defence, fearing Johnson intended to "stab or shoot" him.
Two Violent Episodes
The prosecution alleges that Beckles and his brother Tiego, 21, first attacked Johnson outside the De Fusion club in Exchange Street, leaving him with a fractured eye socket. Less than 30 minutes later, Richard is said to have "lunged" at Johnson with a "large" blade, stabbing him in the chest with "considerable force" while Tiego was nearby with a baseball bat. Johnson collapsed and died minutes later.
Both brothers deny murder and causing grievous bodily harm with intent. Richard also denies possessing an offensive weapon, while Tiego has pleaded guilty to possessing a baseball bat. The court heard the brothers were motivated by a "rumour" that Johnson, known as "Gaza" for his violent reputation, had sold cocaine to their mother, an NHS nurse at New Cross Hospital.
Self-Defence Claim
Giving evidence, Richard told the court he carried a knife in his boxers while out with his brother and friends. After seeing Johnson at De Fusion, the brothers agreed to confront him about the gossip. Richard admitted holding Johnson down while Tiego kicked and stamped on him, but denied intent to cause serious harm.
During that assault, Johnson allegedly warned: "You men are f*****, I know where you live. I'ma light up your yard for this." Richard said he took the threats seriously, fearing for his family's safety. The brothers drove to their sister's house in Lewis Avenue to give the impression they were not at their family home.
Richard described how, later, they saw headlights near their mother's house and believed Johnson had his mum in the car. He ran to Johnson's car, feeling "angry and concerned", but found no one in the passenger seat. Believing Johnson had a weapon, Richard pulled the knife and struck the car windows four to five times, but Johnson looked "unphased".
Fatal Encounter
Johnson got out of the car, put his hands near his waistband, and said: "I told you, you lot are f*****." Richard claimed Johnson swung at his face, and he swung back with the knife, believing Johnson was reaching for a weapon. Richard admitted using "high force" and said he was "just reacting but with strength".
Johnson ran up Burcot Road, and Richard chased him, believing Johnson was planning to retrieve a weapon from a "stash". Richard noticed Johnson slowing and holding his chest, and made "another jabbing movement", but denied trying to stab him again. He said: "I wanted him to feel the same fear that he made me feel when I believed that he had my mum in the car."
Johnson pleaded, "brother please, put down the blade and do something". Richard eventually used his T-shirt to apply pressure to the wound and asked Johnson for his phone to call an ambulance. He told his mother, who called for an ambulance. Footage captured Richard saying "serves you right" and "for doing that to my mum".
Richard told the jury: "At no point did I mean he deserved to die [or] serves him right to die." The trial continues.
