DIRK Howell, who has been found guilty of murdering Alfie Steele, is no stranger to the police or courts. 

The 41-year-old has spent 22 years of his life in prison and is now facing life for the murder of the nine-year-old.

Prior to the murder conviction Howell, formerly of Broach Road, Stourport, now of Princip Street, Birmingham, had racked up 32 convictions for 95 offences between 1994 and 2021. 

His record includes convictions for battery, criminal damage, theft and burglary, public order, 11 drug offences and one offence of having a bladed article.

Kidderminster Shuttle: MURDERER: Dirk HowellMURDERER: Dirk Howell (Image: West Mercia Police)

In 2017 he received a 22-month jail sentence for conspiracy to supply heroin and crack cocaine.

In that case Howell was part of a gang supplying the Class A drugs into Kidderminster. 

During the trial Howell was open about his distaste for the police and said he didn't like social services. 

He had even lied to his own barrister in the writing of a defence statement, Howell telling the court: "I don't trust anybody when it comes to this."

In astonishing scenes while giving evidence Howell launched into rants interrupting barristers and even the judge. 

When his co-accused was giving evidence at one point Howell walked out, returning to be told off by the judge who had run out of patience with him.