‘Obsessed’ tenant murderer feared ‘a US-style home invasion’ in Birmingham

An ‘obsessed’ tenant who stabbed to death a security guard sent to evict him from his bed and breakfast over unpaid rent has been jailed for life.

American national Chad Henderson, 46, plunged a blade into the chest of new dad Nathan Burton, 27, in Moseley, Birmingham in April 2021.

He used a large hunting knife to stab Mr Burton four times in the chest after barricading himself inside his B&B accommodation.

A court heard Henderson came to the UK in July 2020 for treatment during the pandemic and racked up thousands of pounds in rent arrears. He later developed a "siege mentality" and feared a "a US-style home invasion" before the killing took place at the address when Mr Burton went to evict him.

Henderson was previously found guilty of murder in September after refusing to attend his trial at Birmingham Crown Court. He also refused to appear at the sentencing hearing as he was jailed for life to serve a minimum term of 19 years today (Monday, November 6).

Sentencing, Judge Simon Drew KC who said "Regrettably he has repeatedly tried to disrupt and delay these proceedings. That finally comes to an end today."

The court heard Mr Burton, who along with colleagues, including a locksmith, were licensed by the Security Industry Authority, first arrived at the property on April 7.

Henderson waved what appeared to be a petrol bomb at them, which turned out to be a fake. Police were called who told Mr Burton, of Wolverhampton, that they needed a court order to evict Henderson. They returned just before 11pm after speaking with the landlady’s son but found their way blocked with a sofa.

Henderson leant over the bannister and stabbed Mr Burton who was dragged out but collapsed in the street and died later at Birmingham’s Queen Elizabeth Hospital.

The judge added: "In March 2021 his landlady asked him to leave but he refused. He did everything he could to make it difficult for his landlady to remove him. By then the defendant had come to believe, rightly or wrongly, that he was entitled to remain at the premises.

"When she threatened to have him evicted he said he would not leave without a court order. The defendant became increasingly difficult, abusive, aggressive and obstructive, first towards the landlady and then her son when they tried to explain to him he had no right to remain.

"He had developed a siege mentality and made preparations to resist any attempt to remove him from the flat. He had barricaded a door and blocked a stairway and had a knife on him. The prosecution case is that the defendant stabbed Nathan to resist and punish him for threatening what he believed to be his right to remain.

"He was readying himself for a violent and physical confrontation. When the opportunity came he took up the knife and had no hesitation in using it. There was significant planning. He was lying in wait.

"I have listened to the victim’s personal statements in this case with care. The defendant’s actions have had a profound effect on Nathan’s family and friends. They have expressed great pain and will never fully recover from this. I am sorry that the defendant is not here to listen to the considered and dignified statements I have listened to.

"This case is tragic, not only for Nathan and his family, but also for the defendant. This incident happened during the coronavirus pandemic when the defendant came to this country seeking medical treatment. He became stranded here and then ran out of money and was unable to work. That must have had an impact on his mental health and sense of isolation and victimhood."

Nathan Burton’s family pay tribute to ‘doting father and wonderful, kind adn caring selfless young man’

Mr Burton’s heartbroken family previously released a statement following the conviction. Dad Rob Burton said: “The last two-and-a-half years have been extremely traumatic and challenging for us as parents, Nathan’s brothers, his partner, family, friends and colleagues.

“Nathan was cruelly and brutally taken away from us in April 2021. Nathan had recently become a father to a little girl aged 10 months at the time of this tragedy.

"He was a doting father and she is now asking her mum the whereabouts of daddy. What does she tell our grand-daughter? The verdict does not bring Nathan back to us and we know that all we are left with is some great memories of a wonderful, kind and caring, selfless young man. Whilst justice has now been served. For us, as parents, partner, daughter, family, friends and colleagues our life sentence continues. “

West Midlands Police react to the sentencing of Chad Henderson

Detective Inspector Ade George, of West Midlands Police CID, said: “This was a very tragic case. Nathan was a loving father who was much loved by his family. They have all been truly devastated by their loss and our thoughts go out to them at this time.

“Henderson was a man obsessed with his property rights and exercising and protecting what he believed to be those rights. He had decided he wouldn’t be resolved to move from the property, even if that cost was to the life of a person, which turned out to be Mr Burton. We are pleased the jury have come to a decision of guilty and that he will be spending many years behind bars.”