Kenneth Newton and Melanie James have been convicted of murder after a vulnerable 28-year-old man, Rubin Blount, was beaten and starved to death while in their care. Social workers had placed Mr. Blount, who had a low IQ and learning difficulties, with the couple, who were recovering drug addicts, as he was deemed unable to live at home.

During a seven-week trial at Stafford Crown Court, prosecutors presented evidence including video and audio clips that depicted the couple mocking and threatening Mr. Blount. The footage showed a severely emaciated man, described in court as resembling a "walking skeleton" and a "bag of bones." In one clip, James accused Mr. Blount of "putting it on" when he complained of feeling faint, and threatened him, while Newton was heard saying he would "bang you in a minute."

Newton, 57, and James, 63, were found guilty of murder after jurors deliberated for nine and a half hours. They had denied the charges.

According to prosecutor Jennifer Josephs KC, Newton was a "sort of step-brother" to Mr. Blount, having been raised by the victim's father. However, Josephs stated that Newton and James "treated their dog with more kindness and care" than Mr. Blount, viewing him as "a source of income" rather than someone to be cared for. They managed Mr. Blount's finances, including his benefit payments, into his account.

The court heard that Mr. Blount had lived with his parents until he was 20, when authorities decided he could no longer live at home due to unspecified concerns. It was then agreed that he would move in with Newton and James, who were described as being like family, despite not being blood relatives. The couple's home was described as "disgusting," with no heating, mold, and a strong odor of urine.

Mr. Blount's condition deteriorated significantly in the weeks leading up to his death in November 2022. Neighbors noted his extreme weight loss, with one witnessing him scavenging in bins. When his parents visited him on November 26, 2022, they were shocked by his appearance and took him to the hospital. There, medics discovered he had pneumonia, multiple rib fractures, kidney and liver dysfunction, and heart damage. He died four days later from septic shock, attributed to pneumonia and lung damage. At the time of his death, he weighed just seven stone.

Newton and James are scheduled to be sentenced on September 25.