The judge continues: “I must now pass sentence upon you for the murder of Paul Foster and associated offences.
“On October 15, 2024 you murdered Paul Foster. Paul Foster was at the time a drug dealer and that’s what he was doing at 40a Muirhead Avenue. That was why you murdered him. In the course of a robbery, to tax him of his drugs and money.
“Drug dealer and criminal though he was, he had exactly the same right to life as anyone else. You had no right to deprive him of his life. It’s clear he had done nothing against either of you. He never threatened you or interfered with you in any way. The only connection with you was the raid on the premises.
“The circumstances of Paul Foster’s death are appalling. They show that severe force was used to stab him. This must be so. The single stab wound to his back penetrated approximately 10cm. The knife transected, completely cut through, the sixth rib, penetrated the left lung and cut his aorta, the main artery of the body. He bled out onto the floor of the hallway of the flat.
“Upon examination 2.5 litres of blood were found in his body cavity. He was dying as he collapsed to the floor.
“Paul Foster had done neither of you any harm. It’s characteristic of the fundamental cowardice of criminals who carry knives that he was stabbed in the back. He never saw it coming.
“As Paul Foster lay dying, you and your accomplices went about the business of robbing him of his drugs and money then escaped to your car and went away. All five of you were responsible for the killing of Paul Foster, you two of murder and your accomplices of manslaughter.
“You had taken a very realistic imitation firearm with you to scare and overcome resistance from the inhabitants of the flat. You were wearing face covering. You, Michael Fields, had the knife.
“You made your first priority to smoke more crack cocaine and pass out the spoils. The knife and firearm were disposed of. You, Michael Fields, treated yourself and Sarah Kasseum to a late night pizza. The life each of you led at time involved the degradation and filth which comes from taking and selling drugs. Class A drugs destroy people’s lives. They corrode society, they break up families.
“Neither of you have ever so far as I can detect ever done an honest day’s work. You’ve sold and consumed drugs, used weapons.”