Carl Campbell murder: Laughing killers jailed for combined minimum of more than 88 years
Three men were starting life behind bars this afternoon for the brutal killing of Carl Campbell, who was shot dead at traffic lights in revenge for an alleged robbery of a fake watch.
Mohammed Humza, Vikesh Chauhan and Jaspal Rai were given minimum terms of up to 30 years for the killing of Mr Campbell in the drive-by attack.
Judge Mr Justice Haddon-Cave said the killing was a planned attack in revenge for the alleged robbery of a watch and that he was satisfied they intended to kill Mr Campbell.
The three killers, who are from West Bromwich but of no fixed abode, remained expressionless as their sentences were handed down at Birmingham Crown Court.
Police say one witness described them as 'laughing, smiling and appearing quite happy with themselves' after the killing.
Gunman Humza, 20, had admitted murder part way through the trial, while accomplices Chauhan, 24, and Rai, 25, were found guilty of murder and possession of an offensive weapon by a jury.
Chauhan and Rai will serve a minimum term of 30 years and Humza 28 and a half years, lower due to his guilty plea.
The trial heard how the three men decided to attack Mr Campbell, 33, in revenge for an alleged robbery of a watch, which turned out to be fake.
Humza had never met or spoken to Mr Campbell before launching his deadly attack, the court heard.
Chauhan pulled up in an Audi 4x4 next to a Ford Fiesta stopped at traffic lights outside The Strollers pub in Dartmouth Street, West Bromwich, at 2.30pm on December 27 last year.
Humza mercilessly fired five shots at it from the back seat, one striking front-seat passenger Mr Campbell in the face.
Mr Justice Haddon-Cave said: "Each had their respective, vital roles. Mohammed Humza as the shooter, Vikesh Chauhan as the driver and Jaspal Rai as the lookout.
"Five bullets were fired from a powerful handgun, a .44 magnum, and it was fired at close range, as little as 10-12 feet away.
"The car was parked at the optimum angle and closest shooting position.
"This shooting can only have intended to kill one or more people who were sitting in the Fiesta. It was fortunate the driver was not killed."
In a statement read to the court, Mr Campbell's partner and mother of their two-year-old child Chantelle Dudley said her 'heart aches constantly' following his death, while his father Julian Campbell said his 'world has fallen apart'.
"There is a massive void in my life. My life has been ruined. I only live for my sons who are still here," he said in a statement.
Prosecutor Mr Michael Burrows told the court Mr Campbell's family found the accusation he had stolen the watch from Chauhan following a cannabis deal 'hurtful'.
He added: "Even if it was true they found it difficult to understand that he was shot and killed, particularly on the mere say-so he was the robber."
Mr Burrows said the killers committed a 'gross breach of public order' by firing five shots in a busy town centre the middle of the day. Mr Justice Haddon-Cave agreed it was only by 'sheer luck' there were no pedestrians in the area at the time.
The victim, from Low Hill, Wolverhampton, but who was living in Bilston at the time, was left slumped in the passenger seat.
Rakesh Kumar, who was driving the Fiesta and narrowly avoided being shot, battled to save his dying pal, who was pulled out onto the pavement, while staff and patrons from The Strollers also rushed in vain to help Mr Campbell.
Humza was sped away from the scene by driver Chauhan, with Rai in the front passenger seat of the stolen Audi Q5, which they dumped across town in Kiniths Crescent.
Police raced to the scene and Humza and Chauhan were arrested within 10 minutes of the murder as they tried fleeing Kiniths Crescent.
Two spent bullet cartridges fell from folds in Humza's jacket as officers searched him in the street. A Smith & Wesson revolver, knife and gloves were found after he was seen dumping items in gardens near the scene.
He had gunshot residue on his jacket, and his DNA was found on the knife and gloves.
Rai, a front-seat passenger in the Audi, initially got away and fled to Belgium but was arrested a week later before being extradited back to the UK.
Mr Balbir Singh, defending Humza, who had never been in trouble with the police before the shooting, told the court before sentencing: Mr Humza did not know Mr Campbell. They had never met, never spoken.
"He is very sorry that Mr Campbell died in these circumstances as a result of his actions."
