Three young men from Birmingham were among a gang sentenced for 82 years after a pre-planned attack in Hereford
16:13, 15 Dec 2025Updated 16:38, 15 Dec 2025
Pictured (clockwise from top left) are Cadaine July, Jahmya Farrell, Esa Hussain, Ethan Powell, Musa Hussain, Caleb Barnes and Acaree Crossgill.
Three Birmingham gang members have now been jailed after a man was held at knifepoint in a terrifying and vicious robbery.
Seven robbers who carried out the violent attack at a music studio were handed a total of 82 years in prison on Friday, December 12.
Birmingham men Caleb Barnes, 20, of Aylesbury Crescent, Acaree Crossgill, 20, of Mere Road and Esa Hussain, 19 of Vicarage Road, were among those locked up over the incident.
The eight criminals, the last of whom will be sentenced next year, took a train from Birmingham to carry out the pre-planned assault at a converted loft in Hereford on April 4, 2024.
Read more: Mapped: Every stabbing in and around Birmingham city centre as three more knifed this week
The victim was held at knifepoint by Musa Hussain while Cadaine July punched him to the face and the others assaulted him.
He fought back to protect members of his family, wrestling on the stairs with Acaree Cosgill who had a zombie knife. In the process he was smashed over the head with a glass by Farrell, sustaining lacerations to his head. The gang stole items including a Canada Goose coat, Apple MacBook, £800 in cash, two designer bags and two designer beanie hats. July and Ethan Powell were later found in possession of the some of the stolen property.
They fled the scene while the victim’s mother took him to A&E with an arterial bleed. He was left with two permanent scars to his head and mental health issues because of the attack.
“We are pleased to get lengthy sentences for this knife-carrying gang who travelled into our city to carry what was a planned violent robbery on their victim to steal high value items,” Detective Constable Lia Williams of Hereford CID said.
“Knives have no place on our streets. Carrying them can have devastating consequences and those who carry them can expect to feel the full force of the law.”
Examination of their phones showed the robbery to be planned, and the victim stated four or five of them were in possession of zombie knives. A knife sheath was located that had Crossgill’s DNA on it.
Judge Lockhart sentenced the seven at Worcester Crown Court as follows:
Caleb Barnes, 20, of Aylesbury Crescent, Birmingham, pled not guilty and was convicted of robbery and grievous bodily harm – 14 years.Acaree Crossgill, 20, of Mere Road, Birmingham, pled not guilty to robbery and grievous bodily harm – 13 years.Esa Hussain, 19 of Vicarage Road, Kings Heath, pled not guilty and was convicted of robbery and grievous bodily harm – 11 years.Cadaine July, 18, of Manor Street, Stoke-on-Trent, pled guilty and was convicted of robbery and grievous bodily harm – eight years six months.Jahmya Farrell, 18, of Fieldfare Way, Coventry, pled guilty and was convicted of robbery and grievous bodily harm – eight years six months.Ethan Powell, 19, of Eskdale Close, Worcester, pled not guilty and was convicted of grievous bodily harm and robbery – 11 years (13 years total as the judge also sentenced him for a separate possession with intent to supply class A drugs – cocaine offence).Musa Hussain, 20, of Oxford Street, Rugby, pled not guilty and was convicted of robbery and grievous bodily harm – 16 years. (20 years in total for separate charges including offences of possession of a bladed article and violent disorder).An eighth defendant, who is 16 and cannot be named for legal reasons, is due to be sentenced on January 12, 2026.
Have you been affected by this? We would like to hear from you. You can contact us by emailing stephanie.balloo@reachplc.com
