Ambush knife killer jailed for at least 29 years

A man who ambushed and stabbed a driver to death during a robbery has been jailed for at least 29 years for his murder.

Victim Richard Hopley had been driving a drug dealer around Harborne, Birmingham, when he was attacked by a group in September 2022, police said.

The 43-year-old managed to drive for half a mile before he collapsed at the wheel with fatal injuries and crashed.

Ayub Khan, 29, the fourth member of the gang to be jailed, had been convicted of murder and conspiracy to rob, after a trial at Birmingham Crown Court.

He initially fled the UK after the attack but was arrested when he returned in September and was given a life sentence on Tuesday.

Officers said while Khan, of Metchley Drive, was carrying a knife at the time of the attack, although he was not thought to be the one who stabbed Mr Hopley.

West Midlands Police said the victim was driving around a drug dealer and after arriving at Underwood Close - a pre-arranged location - where he was attacked.

He managed to escape but collapsed and crashed the car in Metchley Lane, where he was confirmed dead, a spokesperson added.

Khan was sentenced to a minimum term of 29 years and 199 days at his sentencing on 25 February.

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