A SICK couple have been jailed for life after they murdered their vulnerable stepbrother following a sickening campaign of abuse.
Rubin Blount was discovered with 50 rib fractures before his tragic death in Tamworth, Staffordshire four years ago.
The 28-year-old – who had severe learning disabilities – was left weighing just 40kg and had been forced to lay in his own urine.
Staffordshire Police said his carers had subjected Rubin to “horrendous physical and emotional abuse”.
They assaulted him on a number of occasions, denied him medical care and forced him to stand for long periods of time.
Kenneth Newton, 57, and Melanie James, 64, both from Birmingham, were sentenced to life imprisonment at Stafford Crown Court on Friday.
In November 2022, Rubin was raced to hospital and suffered a heart attack upon his arrival.
Despite being resuscitated, he remained in a critical condition and he wasn’t expected to survive.
When assessing him, doctors found Rubin to have extensive pneumonia, severe infection, rib and spine fractures, as well as burns, lesions and grazes.
He was also severely dehydrated and malnourished and weighed only 40kg when he was admitted to hospital.
He tragically died three days later.
At the time of Newton and James’ arrest, they told cops they were aware of Rubin’s vulnerabilities and care requirements, denying they had caused him any harm.
But an investigation revealed they had threatened, verbally abused and physically assaulted him in their home.
Officers added they had discovered mould and “abhorrent conditions” in Rubin’s bedroom.
Stafford Crown Court also heard Rubin had reported being sexually abused, reports ITV.
Newton and James were both convicted following a six-week trial and will spend the rest of their lives behind bars with a minimum term of 21 years.
A member of the public shouted “rot in hell” as they learned their fate.
Rubin’s mother said her son deserved “compassion, dignity and a chance to live his life” in a victim impact statement read to the court.
She believed those entrusted with his care “loved him and would take care of him”.
“He was a son, a brother and friend and a person who was deeply loved by so many people – not just us, but people who knew him in the community,” she said.
“His life mattered and his loss has been felt by us all.
“His future was stolen and our family must now live with a lifetime of heartbreak.”
Speaking following the sentencing, Detective Chief Inspector Ian Fitzgerald said: “The loss of Rubin will continue to affect those who knew him, deeply, and I’d like to extend my thoughts to them at this time.
“The suffering and abuse I have seen during our investigation of this case has been difficult to comprehend, and I’m pleased with the outcome at court today.”