Two Men Found Guilty of Manslaughter in Paralysed Man’s Death 13 Years Later
Bernie Peter Smith, 30, and Kyle Neil Smith, 33, have been found guilty of the manslaughter of Craig Robins after a brutal attack in 2006. The verdict was delivered at Stafford Crown Court on Tuesday, 5 October.
Brutal Stabbing Leaves Paralysed Victim in Critical Condition
On the evening of 30 October 2006, Craig Robins, then 27, was viciously attacked while sitting in his car on Lomax Road, Hednesford. Paralyzed from the chest down following a car crash nine years earlier, Craig was defenseless as he was stabbed multiple times in the face and neck. One wound fractured his skull and caused severe brain injury.
Suffering massive blood loss and oxygen deprivation, Craig never regained consciousness. He remained under the care of his family at home for over a decade.
Justice Delayed but Not Denied: Attackers Finally Held Accountable
- In 2007, four men were convicted for their involvement in the assault: Gavin Dwayne Brown (22), James Ainsley Milligan (26), Bernie Peter Smith (15), and Kyle Neil Smith (18).
- Craig died on 18 March 2019 due to complications from the 2006 attack.
- All four men were recharged in February 2021, with Brown pleading guilty to murder in June and Milligan admitting manslaughter last month.
Detective Sergeant Katie Gregory said: “This was a tragic case and we would like to offer our condolences to Craig’s friends and family.”
The sentencing hearing is scheduled for November at Stafford Crown Court.
