Five jailed after man killed in drug robbery

Two men who murdered a drug dealer have each been jailed for a minimum of 30 years.

Paul Foster, 47, was fatally stabbed at his flat in the West Derby area of Liverpool in October 2024 by members of a gang who stole his drugs and money.

Zayd Alasaly, 24, from Toxteth in Liverpool and 49-year-old Michael Fields, of no fixed address, were also sentenced for robbery and possession of an imitation firearm and a knife.

Three other people, all from Liverpool, were sentenced for manslaughter, robbery and possessing an imitation firearm.

Dylan Blundell, 27, was sentenced to 16 years in prison; Elsadig Abrahim, 61, was jailed for 18 years; and Sarah Kasseum, 40, was jailed for 17 years.

Merseyside Police said Foster was attacked after the five defendants arrived at a property on Muirhead Avenue just after 01:30 BST on 15 October 2024.

He was known to sell drugs from the address and the group had arrived - armed with an imitation firearm - with a plan to steal money and drugs.

Foster was stabbed in the back during the incident and the group fled the scene with cash, drugs and a mobile phone.

When they were arrested, all five defendants denied being involved.

At earlier hearings, Blundell admitted robbery while Fields admitted robbery and manslaughter - a plea which was not accepted by the prosecution.

On Tuesday Fields and Alasaly were found guilty of murder, Abrahim, Blundell and Kasseum were convicted of manslaughter, and all five were found guilty of robbery and carrying an imitation firearm with criminal intent.

In a statement read out in court, Foster was described by his family as "a deeply loved son, father, brother, uncle and grandfather".

"He was kind, caring and funny - the glue that held our family together," they said.

"Our family has been shattered and we are now trying to cope with the emptiness left behind. Every day we are reminded of what has been taken from us.

"There are so many moments we will never have, family milestones, celebrations and the future he deserved.

"Paul should still be a part of our family, watching his children grow, being with his grandchildren, continuing to lead and protect us all as he did so naturally. Instead, we are left with a gap that can never be filled.

"This is not something we will ever recover from. The pain and the loss will stay with us for the rest of our lives. His death has changed everything."

Det Ch Insp Steve McGrath previously said it had been a "complex and thorough investigation" and "our thoughts remain with his friends and family as they continue to grieve their loss".