Murder victim's partner demands instant police stop-and-search for anyone wearing balaclava

The broken-hearted partner of a man brutally stabbed to death on a Solihull street has demanded instant police stop-and-searches for anyone wearing a balaclava. Kelvin Ward was fatally attacked by a gang covered by masks and armed with machetes.

They used a stolen Ford Kuga to ram his son's Vauxhall Corsa at a KFC restaurant drive-thru. The attackers then chased him on foot shouting: "Get him now, keep chasing. Kill him, everyone kill him." Mr Ward, 50, was stabbed to death on Chester Road, Kingshurst, on April 18, last year.

Four people were jailed yesterday, Thursday, April 18, for their part in his horrific death. Mr Ward's partner Tammy has launched a change.org petition calling for those who wear balaclavas to be instantly stopped and searched by police.

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Tammy, who wanted to keep her identity private as she said she lived in fear despite the convictions, said wearing face coverings had become an "accessory for committing a crime" and the Government urgently needed to change the law. She said her partner's attackers "ran off wearing balaclavas in the hope they would get away with murder."

"I’m aware there’s already stop and search in place if the police believe an individual is in possession of contraband," she said. "However, one of the reasons should be because you are wearing a mask. If implemented onto the current legislation, it will strengthen the response towards knife crime as they appear to go hand in hand.

"A balaclava is becoming an accessory for committing a crime. It’ll be easy for a police officer to search without getting accused of discriminating against different groups. It’s about the person behind the mask. If the wearers have nothing to hide then they shouldn’t mind being searched unless there is a valid reason for wearing them such as sporting or religion.

"If you were fortunate to know Kelvin, he was a wonderful man. He was a loving partner, father, son, brother and a good friend to many. We didn’t get to say goodbye instead we had to watch videos of his last moments which was horrific. To see the man I love stabbed by savage people then left to die on a road is disgraceful. It’s inhumane. The perpetrators ran off ‘wearing balaclavas’ in the hope they would get away with murder.

"The Government needs to send a message to the perpetrators that we are serious when it comes to knife crime and set strong boundaries. It’s about the Balaclava, not about race or colour. Ask yourself what is their intention? The intention is clear, it’s to cause a serious criminal offence then get away with it.

"In addition to knife crime, if we was attacked, raped or robbed at knife point by a person wearing a balaclava how can we identify that person from their eyes. We could not give an accurate description to the police so that person's identity will not be discovered therefore people have and will continue to get away with the crime they commit." To sign the petition, which has attracted almost 4,000 signatures, please click here.

Leighton Williams, 28, and Tyrone Hollywood, 17, were convicted of Mr Ward's murder. Williams, from Shard End, was sentenced to life with a minimum term of 29 years following a hearing at Coventry Crown Court. Hollywood, from Ward End, was sentenced to life with a minimum term of 19 years.

Aaron Coates, 18, from Shard End, who had handed a machete and zombie knife to Hollywood before the fatal attack, was convicted of manslaughter. He was locked up for 21 years and will serve two-thirds in custody before being eligible for release.

Fourth defendant Rusharn Williams-Reid, 18, from Castle Vale, was cleared of homicide offences in relation to Mr Ward, but was convicted of conspiracy to murder his son. He was locked up for 13 years and six months detention and will also serve two-thirds in custody before being eligible for release.

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