Five sentenced after man fatally attacked at West Bromwich pub
Matthew Adams died four days after he was brutally assaulted by a group
Five people have been sentenced after a man died following a brutal group assault at a West Bromwich pub.
33-year-old Matthew Adams was assaulted at the Gough Arms on Jowetts Lane in the early hours of 19th March 2023.
Matthew was at the pub with his partner for a family disco when five people, John Wise, Nichola Stanley, Ryan Stanley, Mark Shorthouse and a 17-year-old boy, walked in.
Derogatory comments were made towards Matthew's partner and an argument ensued.
Matthew was assaulted inside the pub, being punched and kicked in the head, and dragged on the floor.
He was taken outside where he was knocked unconscious for nearly three minutes.
The group fled and left him there.
Matthew decided to try and recover at home, but died four days later of a heart attack after being taken to hospital.
The sentences
43-year-old John Wise, of Sandwell; 54-year-old Mark Shorthouse, of Church Vale, West Bromwich; and 31-year-old Ryan Stanley, of Peel Street, West Bromwich, were each sentenced to 13 years, seven months and 20 days in jail.
A 17-year-old boy has been sentenced to five years, seven months and 20 days in jail.
The four were previously found guilty of murder and violent disorder.
40-year-old Nichola Stanley (Ryan's sister), of Sandwell, has been sentenced to one year and eight months.
She was found guilty of violent disorder.
Tribute to Matthew
In tribute, Matthew’s family, said: “Our whole family and Matt’s friends continue to struggle with the loss of Matt. We cannot believe we are living this absolute nightmare.
“No words will ever be enough to fully describe the massive void since we lost Matt.
“Matt’s children have lost a devoted daddy.
“Matt was a loving son, an adored younger brother, a kind and generous uncle, a much-loved cousin and a loyal friend to many.
“Matt's smile and cheeky laugh could cheer up the darkest of days and his sense of humour will always be remembered by us all.
“Our lives will never be the same, we will continue to remember all those amazing memories we had with Matt, and we will cherish them forever.
“He was the life and soul of our family, and our hearts will be forever broken.
“Our family have seen and heard the horrific violence Matt was subjected to and we are appalled by it, and utterly devastated that Matt lost his life as a result of it with little or no remorse shown from those involved"