Five sentenced after West Bromwich murder investigation

Five people have been sentenced after a man tragically died just days after he was brutally assaulted at a West Bromwich pub.

Matthew Adams was attacked at the Gough Arms on Jowetts Lane in the early hours of 19 March 2023.

The 33-year-old went home to recover, but just four days later, Matthew was taken to hospital and sadly died.

Matthew had visited the pub with his partner for a family disco. Shortly after midnight, John Wise, Nichola Stanley, Nichola’s brother Ryan Stanley, Mark Shorthouse and a 17-year-old boy walked into the pub.

After a while, derogatory comments were made towards Matthew’s partner and disorder broke out.

Matthew was punched and kicked to his head and body multiple times inside the pub. During the attack, the teenage defendant picked up a floor sign and used it as weapon to assault Matthew.

Matthew was then taken outside the pub and the violence escalated. He was knocked unconscious for almost three minutes.

After the attack, the defendants fled the scene, leaving Matthew with multiple injuries. He went back home to recover, despite his considerable pain.

Sadly, on Thursday 23 March, Matthew died after suffering a cardiac arrest.

After speaking to witnesses and reviewing CCTV footage, all five were arrested in relation to Matthew’s death and were consequently charged.

Today, at Wolverhampton Crown Court, Wise, aged 43 from Sandwell, Shorthouse, aged 54 of Church Vale, West Bromwich and Ryan Stanley, aged 31 of Peel Street, West Bromwich were each sentenced to 13 years, seven months and 20 days in jail.

A 17-year-old boy, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was sentenced to five years, seven months and 20 days.  The group were previously found guilty of murder and violent disorder at a previous hearing.  

Nichola Stanley, aged 40 from Sandwell, was sentenced to one year and eight months after being found guilty of violent disorder at an earlier hearing.

In tribute, Matthew’s family, said: “Our whole family and Matt’s friends continue to struggle with the loss of Matt.  We cannot believe we are living this absolute nightmare. 

“No words will ever be enough to fully describe the massive void since we lost Matt. 

“Matt’s children have lost a devoted daddy.

“Matt was a loving son, an adored younger brother, a kind and generous uncle, a much-loved cousin and a loyal friend to many.

“Matt's smile and cheeky laugh could cheer up the darkest of days and his sense of humour will always be remembered by us all. 

“Our lives will never be the same, we will continue to remember all those amazing memories we had with Matt, and we will cherish them forever. 

“He was the life and soul of our family, and our hearts will be forever broken. 

“Our family have seen and heard the horrific violence Matt was subjected to and we are appalled by it, and utterly devastated that Matt lost his life as a result of it with little or no remorse shown from those involved “

DI Joe Davenport from our Homicide Unit said: “Wise, Shorthouse, Stanley and the teenager subjected Matthew to a brutal attack where he was punched, kicked and dragged on the floor. Matthew was left helpless.

“The violence and their desire to keep attacking despite Matthew’s clear injuries was vicious.

“Nichola Stanley repeatedly hit Matthew and others in the pub, adding to the out-of-control disorder.

“This was a complex investigation which relied heavily on linking the attack to Matthew’s death.

“Our thoughts remain with Matthew’s family, and we thank them for their support through the investigation and the court process.”