A violent dispute over drug-selling territory led to a fatal street attack in a Birmingham suburb, a murder trial has heard. Two dealers from the so-called 'Ace' line are accused of kicking a customer to death after he directed business to their rivals.
The Fatal Attack on Springfield Road
Craig Dean, aged 53 and known as 'Yankee', suffered fatal injuries on Springfield Road in Kings Heath shortly before 5pm on July 7, 2025. The resident died in hospital two days later. On Tuesday, January 6, 2026, Birmingham Crown Court was told that Hamza Khan, 23, and Mohammed Rahman, 25, were seen kicking and stamping on Mr Dean's head before driving away. Both men deny charges of murder and an alternative count of manslaughter.
Prosecutor Matthew Brook KC outlined the case, explaining that Mr Dean acted as a conduit for other drug users because he possessed a phone. "This meant Yankee became a useful source of customers for drug dealers including the Ace line, these defendants," Mr Brook said. The court heard the defendants were 'angry' with Mr Dean because 'he had been sending users to different dealers, their competitors'.
Text Message Argument Preceded Violence
The jury was presented with a timeline of the day's events, heavily reliant on text messages and CCTV. The court heard that on the morning of July 7, the 'Ace' line phone, in the possession of the defendants, sent out dozens of texts announcing it was 'open for business'. A specific message to Mr Dean stated, "I'm on."
An argument then ensued via texts and calls between the defendants in their black Vauxhall Corsa and Mr Dean. At one point, Mr Dean messaged: "I'm trying to make dough and help you from wasting your time I will ring you if I need you." The exchange turned hostile later, with Mr Dean sending another message: "Go f*** yourself you little b****."
Witness Describes Fatal Assault
The confrontation turned physical at around 4.49pm. A witness described seeing a Corsa 'chase' Mr Dean before two Asian males got out and attacked him. "He saw both Asian males kick the white man as he lay on the ground, both were kicking him to the head," Mr Brook told the court.
Mr Dean's partner, Laura Webb, who lived with him on Springfield Road, saw him leave their home holding a scraper. She later ran to his aid after the attack, finding him injured with wraps of heroin and crack cocaine in his hand.
Following the incident, Rahman flew out of the UK from Heathrow Airport on July 10 but was arrested upon his return on July 25. He claimed he acted in self-defence, alleging Mr Dean was 'abusive and threatening'. Khan was arrested at The Cowshed holiday cottage in Worcestershire on July 16. He told police that Rahman had argued with Mr Dean, thrown him to the ground, and kicked him multiple times, while he himself 'didn't f****** lay a finger' on the victim.
The prosecution alleges both men are jointly responsible. "Each inflicted unlawful violence on Craig Dean. They were not acting in self defence," Mr Brook said. "Each intended at the very least when inflicting that unlawful violence to cause Craig Dean really serious harm. That violence killed him."
Khan, from Moseley, and Rahman, from Hall Green, continue to deny the charges. The trial at Birmingham Crown Court proceeds.
