Two people convicted following the murder of Adam Watt

Two people have been convicted following the murder of a 38 year old man from Apsley. Joseph Zulu, aged 22, of no fixed address, was yesterday (Monday, July 10) convicted of murder and conspiracy to supply drugs following a four week trial at St Albans Crown Court. Nicholas Grant, aged 18, of Sunnyhill Road, Hemel Hempstead, was convicted on manslaughter by the jury. He had earlier pleaded guilty to a charge of conspiracy to supply drugs. Jackie Brewin, aged 47, of Sacombe Road, Hemel Hempstead, was acquitted by the jury. In the early hours of Sunday, January 8, Brewin drove local drug dealers Zulu and Grant to Apsley Lock to execute retribution on Adam who had earlier ran off without paying the £10 owed for his drugs. Just after 1.10am, Adam was fatally stabbed by Zulu outside his home in Evans Wharf. Neighbours attempted to save Adam’s life by giving CPR until police and paramedics arrived but, despite their best efforts, he later died in hospital.  He died from a stab wound to his chest. Detective Inspector Fraser Wylie, from the Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Hertfordshire Major Crime Unit, said: “Zulu and Grant  went to where they knew Adam lived, both armed with knives, with the sole intention of punishing him for failing to pay for his drugs during a street deal just an hour earlier. “These two men, who admit that they are drug dealers who sold low quality and under-weight drugs to addicts in Hemel Hempstead, had no thought for the value of human life and killed Adam over a £10 drug debt. “They have shown no remorse for their actions and throughout this trial have blamed each other for Adam’s death. “Adam himself knew they were coming and went outside his flat to meet them with just a blunt knife sharpener. While outside he made lots of noise and we can only assume that this was to alert neighbours to the violent attack he knew he was about to be subjected to. “He even sent a message to a friend saying: ‘I don’t think I’m gonna make this, sorry, bye’. “Adam had a troubled life  –  he battled with drug and alcohol addiction for many years and also suffered with mental health issues. He was supported by his family but was unable to overcome his demons, which ultimately led to his untimely death. “Speaking to Adam’s family it is clear that he was a young man who became mixed up with the wrong crowd and found himself spiralling into a world of addiction. Sadly, he was unable to pull himself out of this destructive cycle.” DI Wylie added: “I would like to take this opportunity to commend the hard work of officers from the Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Hertfordshire Major Crime Unit who relentlessly trawled through intelligence to identify those responsible for Adam’s death and bring them to justice.” Adam’s family paid tribute to him. In a statement, they said: “Although Adam’s addiction ruled his life, it never erased his love for his family and his deep routed decency. “His death has not only devastated those who loved him, but the needless cruelty of his death has deprived the perpetrators’ and their families of life ever being the same again. Their lives will go on but Adam doesn’t have that choice and that is something that we have to come to terms with. “We have been given strength, not only by the love that we have as a family for each other, but with the support of friends, along with the care, kindness and professionalism of DI Wylie and his officers. This has enabled us to attend the court trial daily and listen to why this mindless murder took place.”