Kenneth Newton and Melanie James have been sentenced to life in prison for murdering Rubin Blount, a 28-year-old man with severe learning difficulties, in Tamworth, Staffordshire. The couple abused him over several months, exploiting their position of trust and failing to obtain medical help until he was critically ill.

Blount weighed 40kg and was severely dehydrated and malnourished when taken to hospital in November 2022, where he suffered a cardiac arrest and died three days later. Doctors found pneumonia, severe infection, fractures, burns and other injuries, including 50 broken ribs, 47 of which were inflicted shortly before his death; both defendants must serve at least 21 years.