Five teenagers responsible for the killing of a North East dad in a savage subway attack today received custodial sentences totalling 38 years.
They were among a larger group that rounded on Danny Humble as he made his way home from a night out with his partner for the first time after lockdown restrictions were eased, in late May, 2021.
As he and partner Adele Stubbs were making their way through an underpass, off Romsey Close, in Cramlington, Northumberland, members of the group joked about his likeness to tv celebrity Ant McPartlin.
But the mood turned more sinister as the youths became aggressive, punching Mr Humble, knocking him to the ground, where he was repeatedly kicked and stamped on, as Ms Stubbs, a critical care nurse, frantically tried to offer first aid while ringing emergency services.
Despite her efforts, and those of emergency services, the death of the 35-year-old father-of-two, from Cramlington, was confirmed in hospital the following day from catastrophic head injuries.
Read more: Danny Humble murder: Teenagers to be sentenced today after dad's death
Amid police inquiries seven teenagers, aged 16 and 17 at the time, were arrested and later charged with murder.
Following a lengthy trial at Newcastle Crown Court earlier this year five of them, all now 18 or 19, were convicted for their part in the killing.
One of them, Alistair Dickson, 18, of Hawkins Way, Blyth, was found guilty of murder.
A former soldier, who was said to have stamped on Mr Humble as he lay defenceless on the ground, received a minimum 12-year sentence in a young offenders’ institution at today’s sentencing hearing.
Ethan Scott, of Mallard Way, Bailey Wilson, of Mitford Avenue, and Owen Soones, of Newsham Road, all Blyth, and Kyros Robinson, of Woodside Avenue, Seaton Delaval, were cleared of murder but found guilty of manslaughter when the verdicts were delivered, on July 5.
They were today each sentenced to six years and six months in a young offenders’ institution, of which they must serve two-thirds before release on licence.
Soones was only aged 17 when convicted but can now be named, having turned 18 since the verdicts were delivered.
Read more: North East dad allegedly killed by teens after Ant and Dec jibe
Two other defendants, aged 18 and 17, were cleared of the murder on the directions of trial judge, Mr Justice Joel Bennathan, earlier in the trial.
Before passing sentence today he told the defendants: “No sentence I can pass can heal the devastation you have caused.”
Speaking after the hearing, Detective Chief Inspector Joanne Brooks, of Northumbria Police, who led the investigation said: “This is an extremely tragic case which has seen two children left without a father and a family devastated.
“Our thoughts very much remain with Danny’s loved ones and we will continue to support them in any way we can.
“I would like to thank them for their patience and commend them for the dignity they have shown during the investigation and throughout the court proceedings.
“This has been a complex investigation which relied on the support of the community and witnesses who came forward – and I would again like to thank everyone for their assistance.”
Det Chief Insp Brooks added: “So many lives have been destroyed by what happened that night.
“Those responsible have not only caused pain and suffering to Danny’s family but also for their own loved ones.
“This case clearly shows that no one wins where violence is concerned and I want to send a clear message to anyone who believes that such actions are acceptable, the consequences are devastating and can rip lives apart.
“As a force, we are fully committed to tackling violent crime and we will continue to play our part to ensure the region remains one of the safest in the country.”
Danny is survived by his two children, his partner, brothers, and parents, Deborah and Vaughan.
Mrs Humble said: “On 29th May 2021 my life turned black.
“Danny had dropped his children off, then seven and five-years-old, for a sleepover, as he and his partner were going on their first date since lockdown restrictions had eased.
“Danny and the children were laughing, singing, and joking together.
“They were talking about the plans for the next week, half-term.
“He kissed and hugged us all and gave a wave and left, then jokingly came back for another wave and smile.
“Hours later police were at the door and my memory just turns to black after that.”
She added: “We lost a devoted dad, someone who always saw a positive in any negative.
“He loved music and films and his beloved Newcastle United was never far from his thoughts.
“His family, friends and his work colleagues are devastated.
“The ripple effect of his death has rocked the community of Cramlington.
“Danny’s death has destroyed us all in different ways.
“For me, he was my first born, my son, my friend a piece of my heart.”
The deceased's father, Vaughan Humble, said: “We are a family incomplete, we are in the dark.
“One of the mainstays of our family and a guiding light has been cruelly snatched from us in dreadful circumstances from which we will never ever recover.
“There is a void in our lives and an emptiness that continually aches and tortures us.
“A once proud, fun loving and gregarious family has become withdrawn, reluctant to laugh and enjoy life, apprehensive of the pity that we continually see from others.
“Danny was loved by so many. Not only by the inner circle of his immediate close family but also by wider relatives, a multitude of friends and by work colleagues.
“He was caring, loving and compassionate and this was reciprocated by all.
“Above all, he was loved and adored by his heartbroken children. Danny thrived in their presence and showed his true colours as a very proud, caring and doting parent.
“The catastrophic impact of the loss of their daddy will stay with them and have a real bearing forevermore.”
“In his absence, we will pick up the mantle and continue to guide them and teach them the values that Danny thought were so important in life.”
He added: “We will never again hear his laughter, witness his love of life or that dazzling six-million-dollar smile.
“He was a beautiful, happy and contented person, loved and respected by all.
“What we will see, in our moments of quiet solitude, and in the minutes before we sleep at night and when we wake in the morning, are the dreadful images and scenes of Danny being attacked and when defenceless, being punched, kicked and stamped to death.
“We will recall the vivid testimonies of the witnesses and their accounts of the noises that they heard on that fateful night.”
Read next:
DANNY HUMBLE KILLERS: The faces of those responsible for Cramlington dad's death
DANNY HUMBLE: Parents of Cramlington dad murdered by five teens speak out
Five teens found GUILTY of killing Northumberland dad Danny Humble
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