Decision for Shane Watson Sedgley murder alley to stay open will not be reviewed

More than 3,000 people signed a petition calling for the alleyway off Springfield Grove, Sedgley, to be sealed off following the popular 23-year-old's death on July 28 last year.

But Dudley Council decided it should remain open after a police survey found just 15 per cent of residents wanted it shut.

At the conclusion of a trial on Tuesday, 19-year-old Shylon Wishart was convicted of Mr Watson's murder with jurors taking just over an hour to deliver their guilty verdict. He will be sentenced along with 18-year-old James Cartwright, who had earlier admitted murder, at a later date. Dudley Council today said there were no fresh plans to look at closing the alley.

Cabinet member for transportation, Councillor Judy Foster, said the issue had been carefully considered last year and many residents had wanted the alleyway to remain open.

"We looked into closing the alleyway with Mr Watson's family as well as the police, who consulted the local community before we made our decision," she said. "The overwhelming majority of the community said at the time they did not want the alleyway closed and that request has not changed."

Sedgley councillor David Caunt said work had been done, including pruning of trees and ensuring the right of way was well lit, to make it safer.

During the trial, the jury heard Mr Watson had become separated from his girlfriend after the pair left Monty's Bar, in High Street, on July 28 last year.

The court was told Wishart and Cartwright had punched, kicked and stamped on Mr Watson in the alleyway.

Cartwright, of Sandyfields Road, and Wishart, of North Springfield were arrested within hours of the attack.