Teen posed as Joe Dix to send offensive message to parents

The mocking message purported to be from Joe Dix and was posted on social media to his father Phil in the weeks following his son’s death.

The 18-year old was attacked and fatally stabbed outside his flat at Vale Green in Mile Cross in January 2022.

Emma and Phil Dix with a picture of their son (Image: Joe Dix family)

Last October, three men, Hans Beeharry, 20, Benjamin Gil, 19, and Cameron Palmer, 19, were jailed for more than 60 years after they were found guilty of his murder.

READ MORE: Joe Dix murderers jailed for more than 60 years

His death was part of a conflict between rival county lines drug gangs.

Norwich Youth Court was told the message was part of a number posted online that were part of the on-going rivalry and had caused his family distress at a time when they were still coming to terms with their loss.

Written as if from their late son, it stated: “Dad I’m sorry I wasn’t meant for this road life. I’m sorry I got killed but I was fat and couldn’t run”.

Vale Green in Mile Cross sealed off after the murder of Joe Dix (Image: Newsquest)

READ MORE: Parents of murdered Norfolk teen join knife crime task force

A 17-year-old, who cannot be named for legal reasons, admitted sending the message when he was aged 15. 

Ralph Gillam, mitigating, said he had been diagnosed with ADHD and autism and had acted impulsively without thinking through his actions.

“He now accepts this message was offensive. In the circumstances that were facing his parents it was inappropriate,” he said

“He also understands the impact on Mr Dix and all he was going through.”

READ MORE: Joe Dix charity set up after teenager's gang murder

Mr Gillam said the youngster had been subject to “brainwashing” that had seen him fall into gang culture.

 Cameron Palmer, Hans Beeharry and Benjamin Gil were jailed for life after being found guilty of murder (Image: Norfolk Constabulary)

“He grew up on the Larkman and he explains you were encouraged to take sides,” said Mr Gillam.

He had now left behind “tit-for-tat maliciousness” and gang-related activity, no longer lives in the area and is in work, he added. 

READ MORE: Report finds Joe Dix was let down by system

Magistrates made him subject of a four month youth referral order, which aims to prevent re-offending by making youngsters aware of the impact of their crimes.

“If you do this again the consequences would be most severe,” they warned. 

Mr Dix's parents Phil and Emma, from Salhouse, have since set up the Joe Dix Foundation - a charity aimed at raising awareness of the dangers of knives and knife crime - in memory of their son.