Two men have been sent to jail after a father of two, Ali Salih Abdalaah, 36, was beaten to death in Ladywood. The incident happened in the hallway of Brecon Tower, Guild Close, in October 2022.
On October 8, at around 6:20 am, Ali visited a shop on Soho Road and then met a woman, bringing her back to his flat. A few hours later, the woman called Dale Berry-Parkes and Hardi Hamad, claiming Ali had sexually assaulted her.
The two men went to Ali’s flat and attacked him at his doorstep, leading to his death. CCTV footage showed Berry-Parkes throwing Ali’s car keys to Hamad after the attack. They then drove away in Ali’s red Kia and a Peugeot, the car they arrived in. Both cars were found with fake license plates several days later.
Hamad and Berry-Parkes turned themselves in at a police station on October 12 and were arrested. After a three-week trial, Berry-Parkes was found guilty of manslaughter. The 32-year-old from Birmingham was sentenced to 10 years in jail for killing Ali and stealing his car. Hamad, 35, also from Birmingham, pleaded guilty to manslaughter with diminished responsibility during the trial. He received an 11-year sentence with an additional five-year extended license period for manslaughter and car theft.
Ali’s family paid tribute to him, saying, “Ali was a hardworking, happy, and kind man. He was a loving father who dedicated his life to his children. He loved working within the community and volunteered to help those less fortunate than himself. Our lives have been shattered. As a family and community, especially his young children, we are all devastated by his death which has changed our children’s lives forever.”
Detective Chief Inspector Laura Harrison of West Midlands Police said, “Two children have been left without a father due to the appalling actions of Hamad and Berry-Parkes. My thoughts remain with Ali’s family as they continue to come to terms with his loss.”
