UK judge says four suspects played video of brutal machete killing of 16-year-old victim at party

Four individuals who have been convicted in the brutal machete murder of 16-year-old Joseph Riches last summer in Stourbridge, England played a video of the horrific killing to a crowd at a party, court documents show.

Dray Simmonds, 20, Joshua Edgington, 20, Corey Burkitt, 17, and Leroy Robinson, 16, have each been found guilty of murder and have been sentenced to life in prison over the death of Joseph Riches, which occurred on July 15, 2023.


(Left: Joshua Edgington, Right: Dray Simmonds)


(Left: Corey Burkitt, Right: Leroy Robinson)

Court documents state that Riches had allegedly attacked a group with a screwdriver before he was chased down Stourbridge High Street. Defendants Burkitt and Robinson were in the group that Riches reportedly attacked. The other two defendants, Simmonds and Edgington, joined in the chase, per the Daily Mail.

Riches attempted to run away and tried to get into a car with his friend when the opposing group caught up to him. Riches was pushed into a large hedge when one of the defendants, Dray Simmonds, pulled out a 24-inch machete and stabbed him to death, according to court documents.

During the court proceeding, Judge Wall said that defendant Edgington was the first to reach Riches and took him down. 
 

"He then filmed as Simmonds struck far more than one blow to the chest and the heart - the pathologist in the case said there was considerable force used to sensitive areas which was likely to end in death," said Wall, according to Daily Mail.

"It resulted in Mr Riches lying on the ground in a pool of blood and being kicked by one of the other of the group whilst all the time it was filmed," he continued.

The other three defendants were found guilty by joint enterprise. 

The group filmed the killing on a cell phone and played the recording at a party later that evening.

Judge Wall said he could only reach the conclusion upon seeing the evidence that they were "glorifying" the killing.

"Later on there was a party which all four attended and footage was played at it, I can only conclude it was to glory in it there is no other reason it was only stopped when it was learned that Mr Riches had died," said Wall.

Wall said that while Simmonds and Edgington were the "prime movers" in the attack, all four were compliant.

Each defendant received a sentence of life in prison on Thursday.

Burkitt was given a life sentence and ordered to serve at least 15 years behind bars, while Robinson was given a life sentence and ordered to serve at least 15 years and six months.

Simmonds and Edgington both received a life sentence with a minimum of 21 years. Edgington was also given a 24-month sentence for concealing the machete, which will run concurrently.