A Birmingham couple have been convicted of murdering a vulnerable man who had been placed in their care. Kenneth Newton, 57, and Melanie James, 63, were found guilty of the murder of Rubin Blount, 28, following a trial at Stafford Crown Court.
Details of the abuse
Rubin Blount endured repeated beatings from Newton and James at their Edale residence in Tamworth over an extended period. Newton was Rubin's step-brother. The pair also subjected him to threats, verbal abuse, and forced him to remain standing for prolonged stretches. They withheld medical treatment after assaults, causing a dramatic decline in his wellbeing, and ridiculed his looks and intelligence.
Medical emergency and death
In November 2022, officers attended after concerns about a man's welfare in Tamworth and took Rubin urgently to Good Hope Hospital in Sutton Coldfield. Shortly after arrival, he went into cardiac arrest. Rubin was revived, but his condition remained critical with little hope of survival. Medical staff discovered widespread pneumonia, serious infection, 50 fractured ribs, burns, lesions, and abrasions. Three days later, he died.
Investigation and trial
Newton and James were arrested. They told detectives they were aware of Rubin's vulnerabilities and care needs but denied causing injury, despite officers finding mould and what police described as 'abhorrent' conditions in his bedroom. At Stafford Crown Court, the jury heard that Rubin's injuries stemmed from brutal assaults by the pair, who intended to cause grievous harm. Both were convicted of murder on Thursday, July 30, and were held in custody pending sentencing on September 25.
Detective Chief Inspector Ian Fitzgerald of Staffordshire Police said: 'The suffering these two people inflicted upon Rubin, a vulnerable adult, was both cruel and deplorable. I am pleased the jury has today found them guilty of their actions. My thoughts remain with Rubin's parents, who have endured unimaginable heartache throughout this process and continue to live with the devastating loss of their son.'
