Killers' helper gets 11 years

3:32pm Wednesday 16th July 2008

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A 23-YEAR-OLD law student who played a key role in the brutal murder of a Sedgley father during a terrifying campaign of street robberies has been jailed for 11 years.

Andrew Owen, aged 42, who lived in Viewfield Crescent was pounced upon by two men and throttled to death in a headlock as he walked home through Coronation Gardens after a night out with friends.

Kashia Allen who was hoping to become a solicitor or police officer at the end of her studies was convicted by a jury at Wolverhampton Crown Court of the manslaughter of Mr Owen who was affectionately known as “Tatter” in the Sedgley area.

Allen of Crosby Close, Wolverhampton was further found guilty of five robbery charges committed with her two accomplices who were sentenced at an earlier hearing.

Gabriel Bhengu 27 and 26 year old Jabu Mbowane, both of Court Road, Wolverhampton were convicted of murdering Mr Owen and 41 year old Neil Williams who was also strangled in Telford ten days before Andrew.

Bhengu and Mbowane were also found guilty of a string of robberies and sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum of 30 years in custody in May.

The Honourable Mr Justice Goldring told Allen, who showed no emotion as she was jailed, “You were involved in these offences from the start.

“I am sure you were a full member of the team. I also have no doubt that before the robberies were committed there were discussions in which you were involved about what was going to happen.

“You were the driver who took the other two away after the violence.”

The Judge said he accepted Allen was not directly involved in the violence used on Mr Owen or any of their other robbery victims and concluded: “I have formed the view you are a skilled liar.”