Jamaica man accused of rape beaten to death by mob

4-28-2012 Jamaica:

(Jamaica Gleaner) A man accused of being a rapist was beaten and stabbed to death by an angry mob in Half-Way Tree, St Andrew, yesterday.

He has been identified as 27-year-old Michael McKenzie of Maryland District, also in St Andrew.

The Half-Way Tree Police reports that shortly after 6 p.m. McKenzie was at the Clock Tower Plaza when he was attacked by a group of about 20 men armed with knives and batons.

He was beaten and stabbed repeatedly before the police were alerted.

When the police arrived, McKenzie was found suffering from multiple stab wounds and was rushed to the Kingston Public Hospital where he was pronounced dead. ..Source.. by Stabroek editor

Man Suspected of Pedophilia Lynched in Mexico

4-27-2012 Mexico:

A man suspected of sexually abusing a 4-year-old child has been lynched by an angry mob of his fellow villagers in north-western Mexico, prosecutors have said.

The villagers broke into the man’s house after the child told his family that the 48-year-old had taken him to his house by force, the report said.

Before police arrived, the man had been severely beaten. He died of internal bleeding at the police headquarters before it was possible to establish the details of the conflict. ..Source.. by

Rapist battered to death by mob in Chipinge

4-4-2012 Africa:

A mob of 10 villagers reportedly fatally attacked a Chipinge man who was caught red-handed raping a neighbour’s wife in Musirizwi village in the district. Police this week said no arrest had been made, but urged people to desist from meting instant justice.

The deceased, Kenneth Majuta (26), on Monday last week went to his neighbour’s homestead at Musirizwi village in Chipinge where he forced open the door at the 24-year-old complainant’s hut at around 10pm.

He found her asleep in her bedroom hut. Police said Majuta went to the bed pretending he was the complainant’s husband and raped her once. However, as they were being intimate, she noticed that the man was not her real husband.

She then screamed for help while preventing the rapist from leaving the hut. One of the villagers implicated in the murder, Simon Chireni, rushed to Chigumira’s homestead and found out Majuta had raped his neighbour.

He then tied him up and proceeded to call the complainant’s husband, Prince Simango, who was at Lovemore Chimene’s homestead in the same village. Police said Chireni teamed up with nine other villagers and assaulted Majuta.

“When they arrived at Chigumira’s homestead, the 10 started to assault the now deceased several times using logs, clenched fists and booted feet. After a prolonged assault, they handed him over to the police who took him to Chipinge,” said acting Manicaland police spokesperson Assistant Inspector Enock Chishiri.

“He was referred to Chipinge District Hospital for treatment, but he died the following morning,” he said. Chishiri said no arrests had been made because all the 10 villagers left the village after realising that Majuta would not survive.

“We are advising members of the public not to take the law into their hands and they should report all matters to the police,” said Chishiri. ..Source.. by NewsDay

Suspected rapist beaten to death

3-6-2012 South Africa:

Johannesburg - A man was beaten to death in Soweto on Monday after trying to rape a woman, Gauteng police said.

The man, in his 30s, entered a shack in Doornkop where two women were sleeping around 03:00, Warrant Officer Kay Makhubela said.

"He tried to rape one of the women, but she started to scream."

The man tried to escape, but neighbours caught him and started beating him.

"Police arrived to find the man severely beaten and in a serious condition. He was taken to hospital, but died on arrival."

No arrests had been made. ..Source..

Gordon Morrice murder trial: Brain injury evidence given

1-23-2012 United Kingdom:

The brain of a suspected paedophile allegedly murdered by five people showed signs of a head injury suffered months before his death, a doctor has told a murder trial.

Gordon Morrice, 57, died several months after being severely injured at playing fields in Aberdeen's Golf Road in 2010.

Robert Laird, 25; Paul Yates, 38; Williamina Stewart, 37; Hector Stewart, 30; and Paul Noble, 17, deny murder.

Dr James MacKenzie said he had found "softening" on Mr Morrice's brain.

The consultant neuropathologist, who examined Mr Morrice's brain after his death, told the trial at the High Court in Aberdeen he had examined the brain microscopically with the naked eye and found the damage was mainly on the left side.

He said there was evidence to suggest Mr Morrice had suffered a head injury although the major damage had been caused by subsequent bleeding.

In his visual exam he detected "softening" on parts of the brain, which he said could appear "boggy".

"The brain deals with damage in one way," he said. "It walls it off, takes it away and you are left with softening.

"Many months have elapsed between the incident that caused it and the death of the deceased."

He added: "What I'm looking at is the remains on the battle field long after the battle is over."

The doctor said Mr Morrice's memory, movements, speech and swallowing would all have been affected.

He said: "The distribution and severity of the brain damage is likely to have rendered the deceased severely neurologically disabled."

'Spontaneous haemorrhage'

Advocate depute David Nicolson told the witness the court had heard that Mr Morrice regained some of his speech in the months after the attack.

Dr MacKenzie replied: "What often happens is there is some degree of functional recovery after time goes by, but there are bits you can't put back together."

The court heard Mr Morrice had been prescribed Warfarin - a blood thinning drug - before the alleged attack and did not lose consciousness until several hours afterwards.

Dr MacKenzie said Mr Morrice may have appeared to function normally after the alleged incident until the build up of a clot started to damage the brain.

He added that this was consistent with someone who may have a "slow bleed" on the brain.

He told the court that a "spontaneous haemorrhage" can occur in a person who is taking Warfarin.

Paul Noble's defence counsel, Edward Targowski QC, asked Dr MacKenzie: "If it can occur relatively spontaneously, then little force would be required to cause a haemorrhage of a patient who is on Warfarin?

The witness replied: "Yes, there is an increased risk of haemorrhage inside the head."

Background checks

The five accused are alleged to have attacked Mr Morrice at a park in Seaton on 24 June 2010.

They are alleged to have struck him on the body with a bicycle and repeatedly punched and stamped on his head and body at Golf Road and the adjoining park.

The attack is alleged to have caused the death of Mr Morrice on 14 March last year at an Aberdeen nursing home.

Williamina and Hector Stewart are also accused of previously showing malice and ill-will towards Mr Morrice.

The trial has heard several witnesses claim that rumours of Mr Morrice being a paedophile had circulated the Seaton community before the alleged attack.

Pc William Thom, of Grampian Police, previously said he ran background checks on Mr Morrice following a report that he had asked to bounce on a trampoline with two children, but they had come back clear.

The trial, before Lord Uist, continues. ..Source.. by BBC

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Pair who killed man wrongly accused of being paedophile in Aberdeen jailed

A schoolboy and a mother who killed a man wrongly accused of being a paedophile have been jailed.

Gordon Morrice, 58, died months after being severely injured at playing fields in Aberdeen's Golf Road in 2010.

The attack happened after he asked to bounce on a child's trampoline near his flat in the city.

Williamina Stewart, 37, was jailed for 10 years and Paul Noble, 18, for eight after they both admitted culpable homicide.

They had gone on trial for murder at the High Court in Aberdeen.

Relatives of Mr Morrice said in a statement after the sentencing: "This was a terrible sustained attack on our dad which not only led to his death but caused his family great pain and anguish.

We would also like to thank the good people who came forward”

Family statement

"Not only has our family lost a father and a son but no amount of time can change what has happened or take our pain away.

"We also had to endure nine months of agony while our dad lay in a hospital bed without knowing what would happen. The reality is his life ended on the day of this attack."

They explained: "We still can't believe what these people have done and cannot comprehend why they did it.

"This was a brutal attack which was pre-planned. What sort of people could do something like this? We hope they feel a little bit of our hurt and pain, but I really doubt they will.

"The hurt and pain will always be with us and it is something we will have to live for the rest of our lives."

They added: "It was also extremely hurtful for us to see repeated claims that our dad was a paedophile when this was completely untrue. He was the innocent one and not the one on trial, and I hope the people responsible realise the effect this has had, and will continue to have, in our lives.

"The family would like to thank the police and the crown for their efforts in getting to the truth of the incident and for clearing our dad's name.

"We would also like to thank the good people of Seaton who came forward and helped the police with their enquiries."

'Untimely death'

Grampian Police Det Insp Cammy Preston, who led the inquiry, said: "This is a harsh lesson for anyone who takes the law into their own hands.

"This group made the wrong assumption that Gordon Morrice was a 'paedophile' on the back of a throwaway remark which has literally led to his death.

"There is absolutely nothing to suggest he posed any risk or threat to children."

He went on: "Although those who have been convicted have been justly punished, there were others - some with their children - who stood by and watched the vicious attack on Mr Morrice and did nothing to stop it.

"In contrast, a number of the local community who were horrified by what they saw gave us the information we needed to pursue the accused and I thank them for their assistance.

"The untimely death of Mr Morrice from such a vicious attack, coupled with the malicious allegations from the accused, have caused his family untold pain and I can only hope this brings some closure for them."

Stewart's partner Paul Yates, 38, and her brother Hector Stewart, 30 admitted a reduced charge of assault.

They were admonished.

The case against co-accused Robert Laird, 25, was dropped due to a lack of evidence. ..Source.. by BBC

Alberta woman who killed supposed child abuser wins full parole under faint-hope clause

12-29-2010 Canada:

EDMONTON — A woman convicted of first-degree murder in the 1989 beating death of a man from Wetaskiwin, Alta., has been granted full parole under Canada's faint-hope clause.

A decision made by the Parole Board of Canada granted Yvonne Johnson, 48, full parole on Dec. 17, with conditions to abstain from alcohol and drugs, continue psychological counselling and to not associate with known or suspected criminals.

Johnson was convicted in 1991 of first-degree murder in the beating death of a man she suspected of being a child molester.

There was never any proof the man molested anyone.

Johnson was initially given an automatic sentence of life in prison with no chance of parole for 25 years, but in 2005, she won the right to apply for early parole under Canada's faint-hope clause.

Inmates must have served at least 15 years of their sentences before they can make an application through the clause.

In its written decision, the board outlined Johnson's commitment to "moving forward" with her life and her continued ability to manage her risk in the community as reasons for her release.

Her risk to reoffend is assessed as low.

The decision states that while the victim's family members were not present at her most recent parole hearing, they have consistently rejected her early release.

Parole documents say Johnson runs an at-home business selling aboriginal arts and crafts. She is also the primary caregiver for her two grandchildren and receives some financial help from the province for their care.

Johnson served nearly 17 years of her sentence before she was first released on day parole in February 2008, which was renewed every six months until February 2010.

She applied for full parole in October 2009, but was denied because the board "noted there were several issues of concern that needed to be addressed." She was, however, granted overnight-leave privileges on her day parole. She applied for full parole once more in March but was once again denied.

It's not known where Johnson will reside following her release. Because she was serving a life sentence, she will be subject to supervision by the Correctional Service of Canada for the remainder of her life, parole documents state.

On Sept. 15 1989, 36-year-old Leonard Skwarok was lured to Johnson's home, where he was attacked because Johnson, who was 27 at the time, and three others mistakenly believed he was a child molester. All four attackers were heavily intoxicated.

Johnson, a victim of childhood abuse, sodomized Skwarok with a chair leg before strangling him with a telephone cord.

Johnson co-authored a book with Edmontonian Rudy Wiebe about the murder and her life titled, Stolen Life: The Journey of a Cree Woman, which was nominated for a Governor General's Award. ..Source.. by Mariam Ibrahim

Child rapist 'stamped to death in his prison cell by fellow inmate'

8-4-2010 United Kingdom:

A child rapist has allegedly been stamped to death in his prison cell by a fellow inmate.

Robert Coello, 44, who was serving a sentence for sexually assaulting a minor, was found with head injuries in his cell in G wing of HMP Grendon in Buckinghamshire on Sunday.

He was taken to Stoke Mandeville Hospital but pronounced dead later that day, Thames Valley Police said.

The force said a 25-year-old inmate was arrested on Sunday evening before being bailed and returned to prison.

Officers are waiting for results of a post-mortem examination by a Home Office pathologist.

Coello was jailed at Reading Crown Court in August 2006, after admitting four counts of rape and 12 other sexual assaults.

He was serving a minimum seven year sentence.

HMP Grendon opened in 1962 as an experimental psychiatric prison, providing treatment for prisoners with antisocial personality disorders, under the direction of a medical superintendent, according the HM Prison Service website.

It is now run by a Prison Service governor and continues to operate a regime of therapeutic care for offenders.

The prison can house up to 235 inmates in Category B secure conditions, with the six wings operating as autonomous therapeutic communities. Prisoners must be committed to staying drug free while in therapy.

It is believed to be the first time an inmate has been killed in a category B prison.

A Ministry of Justice spokesperson said: 'There has been no change to the type of prisoner held there in recent months, and no change to the vetting process.' ..Source.. by Daily Mail Reporter

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Inmate denies murdering sex offender Robert Coello

10-31-2011:

An inmate killed a sex offender in his cell by kicking and punching him, causing a fatal brain injury, in a "ferocious attack", a court has heard.

Lee Foye, 27, denies murdering Robert Coello, 44, on 1 August 2010 in HM Prison Grendon, Buckinghamshire.

Prosecutor Neil Moore said Foye, who worked out in the gym, despised 11-stone serial child sex offender Coello.

Luton Crown Court heard there was evidence of Foye's footwear on Coello's body but fists may also have been used.

"The evidence is the defendant repeatedly kicked or stamped or both on his head and body," Mr Moore said.

He said two other inmates nearby heard the noise and went to inspect but the window had been covered in tissue paper.

The attack left Coello, originally from Whitley in Berkshire, with multiple fractures.
'Abnormality of mind'

"His head and body were extensively bruised and he suffered a brain injury that caused his death," Mr Moore said.

He said that, after the attack, Foye, originally from Corby in Northamptonshire, removed his bloodied clothes, which were later found in a prison bin.

Mr Moore said that, before the attack, Foye had said of Coello: "People like that should be put down."

At the start of the afternoon court session, Judge Richard Foster told the jury Foye had been taken back to prison because he was feeling unwell.

Mr Moore said psychiatrists found Foye suffered from a social personality disorder and that the defence would argue he had diminished responsibility at the time of the killing.

He urged the jury to consider the lesser charge of manslaughter.

"All those who assessed the defendant, all the experts, say he was suffering from abnormality of the mind at the time of the killing," Mr Moore said.

The case continues. ..Source.. by BBC

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Inmate Lee Foye guilty of prison murder jailed for 35 years

11-15-2011 United Kingdom:

An inmate who beat a sex offender to death in prison has been jailed for life with a minimum term of 35 years after being convicted of murder.

Lee Foye, 26, stamped on Robert Coello, 44, so hard at HM Prison Grendon, Buckinghamshire, that the tread of his shoes could be seen on Coello's body.

Luton Crown Court heard Foye despised the serial child sex offender.

After convicting Foye the jury was told he was serving life for murdering a former lover in front of her son.

Judge Richard Foster said Foye's jail sentence would run concurrently to the 16-year sentence he is serving for his first murder.
Inquiry call

It means Foye cannot even be considered for parole until he is aged 61.

Jailing him at Luton Crown Court the judge said: "It was a callous, premeditated murder of a helpless victim."

Judge Foster said Foye had "manipulated the prison authorities to facilitate" his move to Grendon saying he had chosen Coello as his victim "perhaps because he had been vocal about his own offending."

The judge said: "I hope there will be a full inquiry into how appropriate it was for Lee Foye to be kept at HMP Grendon."

The court heard Coello, of Whitley, Reading, was attacked after he upset prisoners with graphic details of his crimes.

He had been placed in a wing with prisoners who were not sex offenders because the prison was so full and under its regime had been encouraged to talk about his feelings with other inmates, the court heard.

Foye carried out a ferocious attack on Coello after going into his cell and locking the door behind him.

Foye, who had boycotted the trial and was not present for the verdict, cut off both his ears in Woodhill Prison, Milton Keynes, while waiting for the case to come to court.

His defence had argued he should be convicted of manslaughter on the grounds of diminished responsibility.
Toddler's cries

Two women jurors cried when the prosecution revealed Foye's previous victim, Lauren Strachan, 19, of Corby, suffered 47 different stab wounds and 28 other injuries in August 2005.

Foye, then 20, was living with another woman at the time and is believed to have gone to Ms Strachan for sex and then killed her when she threatened to tell his girlfriend.

Her body was found the following morning when neighbours heard the cries of her two-year-old son.

Patrick Mandikate, the prison's head of psychotherapy, admitted he was "uneasy" with the decision to place Coello on G Wing last year.

He said: "It was made clear to me in no uncertain terms that we needed to fill these beds no matter who was available." ..Source.. by BBC

Teenager admits killing her 69-year-old ‘best pal’

10-11-2010 Scotland:

Harry Smith suffered a haemorrhage after being repeatedly hit by Elaine Fleming.

A teenage girl who killed a pensioner in an attack at his home was heard saying: "I didn't want him to die, he was my best pal", a court has heard.

But underage drinker Elaine Fleming had earlier called her victim "a paedophile and a pervert" and shouted she was "going to kill the bastard".

Fleming, then aged 17, repeatedly punched Harry Smith in a fatal attack at his home in Mainsford Avenue, Drongan, in Ayrshire, on October 13 last year. The 69-year-old victim suffered a massive haemorrhage in his head and died later at hospital in Ayr.

Fleming, now 18, of Hannahston Avenue, Drongan, admitted the culpable homicide of Mr Smith, when she appeared at the High Court in Edinburgh.

Defence counsel Mark Stewart QC said Fleming was "extremely upset" over being charged with causing the death of her friend. He said it was "an odd friendship" given their ages.

A judge agreed to continue the teenager's bail for a background report to be prepared on her before sentencing.

But Lord Kinclaven told Fleming: "You should be under no illusion a custodial sentence will be uppermost in the court's mind."

The court heard Mr Smith, a father-of-two, had lived alone since the death of his wife some years previously.

Advocate depute David Young QC said that following his wife's death Mr Smith had taken to drinking and allowed others into his house to drink, among them youngsters including Fleming.

Fleming had turned up at his house on the day of the fatal attack and began drinking. Two schoolgirls later arrived and found her lying in "a drunken stupor" on the sofa next to Mr Smith. They tried to wake her but failed.

Mr Young told the court the girls said Mr Smith put a hand inside Fleming's trousers and up her top. One girl said he had remarked "Do you want her awake?" but the other said he said he was looking for money and checked her pockets.

After Fleming woke she left the house with one of the girls who told her what had occurred.

Commotion

Mr Young said: "This was the first that she was aware of anything happening. On hearing about the incident the accused said that she was going to go to his house to 'go off her head at him'."

The prosecutor said she later went back to Mr Smith's home and confronted him shouting and swearing, calling him a paedophile and a pervert and saying he had touched her when she was asleep.

He said Fleming went in and out of the house several times, including occasions when she was put out by others, but kept returning.

Mr Young said: "The commotion was overheard by several people who began to gather at the front driveway of the house.

"The accused was seen to be very irate and at one point she was heard to shout 'I'm going to kill the bastard', although this was said to be the sort of thing that she would say when in a temper. Witnesses described her as being very drunk," he said.

Fleming was seen punching the pensioner to the head. During the attack he sat on a couch and did not retaliate. Eventually his head slumped to the side but Fleming accused him of pretending to sleep. But others became concerned and an ambulance was called.

Mr Young said: "After the incident the accused remained at the scene and was described as being hysterical, at times rolling on the ground crying and screaming. She is reported as saying 'I didn't want him to die, he was my best pal' and 'I knew I hit him, but I didn't mean to do that'."

The assault victim was taken to Ayr Hospital where he was found to be unconscious and unresponsive and was placed on life support. A decision was later taken to switch off the ventilator.

Fleming was later interviewed by police and admitted hitting the deceased a couple of times, after being told he had been touching her, but said she thought it was to his shoulder and chest. ..Source.. by S-TV.com

Killeshandra pensioner dies after horrific attack at home

10-19-2010 Ireland:

Funeral of attempted castration victim Johnny Golden delayed for tests on body

The funeral of a pensioner who died from what’s believed were injuries sustained in a vicious assault a month ago has been postponed so that the State Pathologist can carry out further tests.

John Golden (73) was attacked in his home at Nedd, Doogary, Killeshandra, on Tuesday, September 7, and was found in an unconscious state the following morning by a neighbour.

His funeral was due to be held on Sunday last at Killegar Parish Church but Dr. Marie Cassidy made the request for a further examination of the body in a bid to determine precisely the nature of his injuries and the exact cause of his death.

It’s understood that Mr. Golden was the victim of an attempted castration and that pliers and a poker may have been used in the assault. It’s believed that he suffered head and internal injuries.

Rumours have been circulating that Mr. Golden was gay or a paedophile but these have been strongly denied by neighbours who claim that John’s name was being blackened by others.

Superintendent Tom Maguire from Ballyconnell Garda Station, who is leading the investigation into the attack, confirmed to The Anglo-Celt this week a young male was arrested on Saturday, September 11, and detained under the provision of Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act 1984. He was later released without charge.

Mr. Golden’s body was discovered in an unconscious state by his neighbour Seamus Galligan, who lives quite close, at about 9.40am on Tuesday, September 7. Mr. Galligan alerted the gardaí and ambulance services.

Mr. Golden was taken to Cavan General Hospital, where he remained in an unconscious state until he was pronounced dead at 7.50pm last Wednesday, October 6.

A post mortem was carried out on his body at Our Lady’s Hospital, Navan, last Thursday by assistant State Pathologist Dr. Khalid Jabbar.

Mr. Golden was an orphan and had lived in the Doogary area for the past 35 years. He was raised in Sunbeam House in County Wicklow and it’s believed he never knew his parents. In Leitrim he worked as a farm labourer and a mechanic.

Lily Galligan, wife of Seamus, said: “We are devastated at the death of John who was a good neighbour and a lovely gentleman.”

His death came as a shock to the whole community and he was well liked. He lived in Killegar before moving to Doogary.

When Seamus discovered John in his home, he thought he had suffered a turn. “He saw the door open and went into the bedroom and found John on the floor.”

The Galligan family are annoyed that rumours have been circulating since Mr. Golden’s death that John was gay or was a paedophile.

They claim he was neither. “John was never the subject of any complaint of a sexual nature to the gardaí.” He was a private individual who kept himself to himself. He was most happy when repairing vintage tractors and machinery.

Mrs. Galligan said he would visit them regularly, as well as other neighbours, and he was not a heavy drinker though he did take the odd bottle of stout. He was a good living man who also liked music.

Rumours that he screened pornographic films at his house 10 years ago have been vehemently denied by local sources.

It is understood that an investigation was launched at the time but no charges were ever brought due to the lack of evidence.

Superintendent Maguire has appealed to the public for their assistance.

He would not confirm if Mr. Golden had been sexually assaulted.

Gardaí are particularly interested in hearing from any witnesses that may have been in the vicinity of Nedd, Doogary between 8pm on Monday, September 6, and 11am on Tuesday, September 7.

They are asked to contact Ballyconnell Garda Station on 049-9525580. People are also asked to ring the Garda Confidential Telephone Line 1800-666-111 or contact any garda station. Mr. Golden’s body has not been released yet and his funeral will not take place until Thursday or Friday. ..Source.. by Anglo Celt

Birmingham sex offender 'killed after attack by vigilantes'

8-9-2009 United Kingdom:

Man died after being kicked and punched in his home

A SEX offender who died after being beaten at his home may have been the target of vigilantes who had learned of his previous convictions.

Dennis Golding, 49, who had a string of offences for indecent exposure, was found covered in blood at his Birmingham flat in January.

He had suffered serious injuries to his body and head, consistent with having been repeatedly kicked and punched in a prolonged attack which police believe may have lasted up to two hours.

Serial flasher Golding, from Small Heath, died three weeks later.

Now it has emerged that he may have been targeted by vigilantes after rumours circulated locally that he had been spotted in the sex offenders’ wing of a Midland prison.

Police sources said it was “no secret” Golding was well-known in the community as a convicted sex offender. It is believed there had been a number of earlier incidents when his property may have been damaged.

Golding, who was unemployed, had a total of nine sex offence-related convictions stretching back five years and was on the Sex Offenders’ Register.

His first conviction was in 2004, when he was sentenced to a 24-month rehabilitation order after pleading guilty to indecent exposure. He was put on the Sex Offenders’ Register for five years.

In September 2005, Golding received a one-month prison sentence, suspended for two years, after admitting four new charges of flashing.

His name was also added to the register for a further seven years.

A month later he was convicted of a further four counts of indecent exposure and of breaching the terms of the register after failing to report a change of address to West Midlands Police. He received 12 weeks in prison.

In March 2006 Golding was sentenced to 18 months for an attempted robbery.

Then in July 2007 he was locked up for four months after again being convicted of breaching the register’s conditions by not telling police he had moved address.

Community sources revealed that middle-aged Golding was set upon in his flat in Mansel Road, Small Heath, on the evening of January 25 this year. He was found with serious head injuries and was bleeding profusely.

Golding was rushed to hospital at about 11.30pm but remained in a critical condition.

It is believed he never regained consciousness.

Two men, aged 22 and 29, and a 19-year-old woman have pleaded not guilty to murder and are due to stand trial in November.

There have been a succession of vigilante attacks against paedophiles in recent years.

William Malcolm, a child sex attacker, was shot in the head on his doorstep in north-east London in 2000. Others have been hounded from homes and hostels by groups of vigilantes.

Despite public campaigns that dangerous paedophiles must remain in prison, child sex offenders are released regularly and many reoffend.

Each attack reignites the debate over whether vigilantism could drive offenders into hiding, making police surveillance even more difficult and increasing the chances that they will strike again. ..Source.. by Jeanette Oldham, Sunday Mercury

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Three people beat Birmingham sex offender to death, jury told

11-19-2009 United Kingdom:

TWO men and a woman beat a Birmingham man to death after he was recognised as a sex offender, a court was told.

Victim Dennis Golding, aged 49, was targeted because someone at the Birmingham hostel where he was living had seen him on a sex offenders’ wing in prison, it heard.

Dominic Maynard-Francis, 23, Darren Stevens 30, and Rebecca Gordon 20, all deny murdering Mr Golding.

James Goss QC, prosecuting at Birmingham Crown Court, said the victim suffered from Huntington’s disease, a hereditary illness affecting the central nervous system which impairs person’s ability to walk and talk, although it was only at its early stages.

He had moved in to the hostel for single homeless people in Mansel Road, Small Heath, in December last year and had been there for about six weeks before the attack.

He said another resident believed he had seen Mr Golding in prison and it was the case that he was on the Sex Offenders’ Register.

Mr Goss said that on January 25 this year the three defendants had been drinking and had been told Mr Golding was a “nonce”, a slang word for someone who interfered with children.

As a result they went to his room on a number of times and repeatedly assaulted him. Another resident living opposite heard his screams and later saw the defendants laughing, said Mr Goss.He said the resident also saw Gordon hitting the victim with a chair.

Mr Golding was found lying unconscious with severe head injuries and eventually died three weeks later after also contracting pneumonia. ..Source.. by Birmingham Net.com

Man denies Mountjoy Prison murder

4-28-2009 Ireland:

A 25-year-old man has pleaded not guilty to the murder of fellow prisoner Gary Douche in Mountjoy Prison.

Stephen Egan of Belcamp Crescent, Coolock, Dublin, denied the murder of Mr Douche in a holding cell on 1 August 2006.

The jury will have to decide whether he is guilty of murder, or guilty of manslaughter on the grounds of diminished responsibility.

Mr Egan told gardaí he attacked Mr Douche in a ten-minute frenzy.

He punched him three times in the jaw, kicked him three times in the head area and stamped on him.

Mr Douche and five other men were held overnight in the cell with Mr Egan.

The next morning, prison officers discovered Mr Douche's badly beaten body. His face had been smeared with excrement.

He was taken to the Mater Hospital but died as a result of blunt force trauma to the head and neck.

At the Central Criminal Court today, Prosecution counsel Anthony Sammon told the jury that Mr Egan had a long history of psychiatric problems.

He said the jury would have little to decide in this case and their main focus would be the state of mind of the accused at the time of the attack.

Seven admissions were read to the court by defence counsel John Aylmar. In these, Mr Egan admitted the unlawful killing.

In statements to gardaí, the accused said he had 'heard things in his head' and attacked Gary Douche because in his mind he was a rapist and had done things to his mother and sister.

Defence counsel John Aylmar said the accused admitted that his claims that the deceased man was a sexual offender were illusionary and borne out of psychotic illness.

It is the State's case that Mr Egan was suffering from a mental disorder that diminished his responsibility for the attack on Mr Douche.

Evidence about his mental state will be given by a forensic psychiatrist tomorrow. ..News Source.. by RTE News

Alleged rapist dies after mob beating

4-28-2009 South Africa:

A man who lured an eight-year-old girl from a party and then raped her was beaten to death by an angry mob in Wyebank, near Kloof.

The man, whose identity is not known, had to be rescued from the mob who beat him to a pulp on Saturday evening.

He died soon after being taken to RK Khan Hospital.

It is believed the man, who is not from the area, isolated the victim from the crowd.

A suspicious witness, who had noticed the two slip away, allegedly caught the suspect raping the girl on a nearby sports field.

It is believed the man alerted residents, who then ganged up on and assaulted the suspect.

Pinetown police spokesperson Solomon Mbhele said police were made aware of the incident by an anonymous caller, who is suspected to have been with the mob.

"When we arrived at the scene, the suspect had been badly beaten by the residents and he was transported to hospital, where he died."

Mbhele said the dead man had not been identified and police were investigating the circumstances of his death.

"No arrests have been made at his point," Mbhele said.

Mbhele confirmed that the eight-year-old rape victim, who was from the area, was receiving medical support and ongoing psychological counselling.

Police are trying to trace the witness who spotted the two leaving the party and the caller who alerted the police.

Mbhele stressed that investigating a crime involving a mob was complex because people who were responsible for the murder first had to be identified.

"There has to be identification before any arrests can be made, which makes it very difficult because it hampers the investigations," he said.

After the mob attack, police issued a stern warning to communities who take the law into their own hands.

Provincial police spokesperson Vincent Mdunge said police would not tolerate acts of vigilantism which sometimes resulted in the death of the suspected criminal.

"Communities should understand the dynamics of what they engage in because you cannot resolve criminal issues by assaulting the suspect. In the eyes of the law, they too become criminally responsible," he stressed.

He also urged communities to let the law take its course and said he did not condone what happened to the suspect.

"This type of crime has to come to an end and communities should work hand in hand with the police. Apprehend the suspect and then alert the police," Mdunge said. ..News Source.. by Slindile Maluleke

Accused paedophile mobbed and killed

12-15-2008 Jamaica:

A man accused of being a paedophile and robber, was mobbed and killed in Westmoreland early Wednesday morning.

RJR News understands that Kemar Russell, 21, an ex-convict of Toro, in Burnt Savannah was being sought by the Frome Police in connection with several sex crimes and burglaries in that division.

But just after 5o'clock, residents took matters into their own hands.

He was reportedly caught breaking into a business place in Toro when he was set upon and beaten to death.

Mr. Russell had been released from prison earlier this year after serving a two year sentence for sexually assaulting a 9-year-old boy in Toro.

RJR News also understands that DNA samples will be taken from him to ascertain whether he had been involved in the carnal abuse and murder of two Westmoreland girls three years ago in the nearby community of Townhead.

The bodies of 9-year-old Shanika Shakes and 8-year-old Shana-Kaye Ledgister were found in a cane field on June 29, 2004.

Since the death of the little girls, 14 persons have been detained but later released for lack of evidence.

Residents remember the young friends every year in candle light vigils and remain confident that there will be a breakthrough in the case.

Recently a wave of panic swept through sections of Westmoreland due to an increase in reports of abductions and attempted abductions.

Parents have reportedly increased their visits to schools in order to monitor their children. ..News Source.. by Radio Jamaica.com

Mob lynches suspected rapist in Venezuela

2-27-2009 Venezuela:

Caracas, Feb 6 (IANS) A suspected rapist was lynched, burned and dragged through the streets by residents of a west Caracas neighbourhood who accused the police of not doing their jobs, Venezuelan media has reported.The residents said that the suspect was killed Wednesday morning after he allegedly tried to rape a nine-year-old girl, EFE stated.

The man, according to eyewitnesses, was chased by a mob, caught, beaten, shot, burned and tied to a motorcycle and dragged down an avenue, where the body was burned again.

The incident occurred in the Zamora neighbourhood, where another suspected criminal was killed by a mob in October, the El Universal newspaper said.

Residents told reporters that they took justice into their own hands because the man had allegedly raped five women, including a girl, in the neighbourhood.

“We had been following him and managed to capture him this morning (Wednesday) when he tried to abuse a nine-year-old girl. He got away twice,” a resident who refused to identify himself told El Universal.

“We don’t believe the police. They are corrupt. We don’t want them here,” Josefina Guzman, who lives in El Valle, told the daily Ultimas Noticias.

Venezuelans, according to polls, consider crime the biggest problem facing the country. ..News Source.. by IANS

UK- Town man’s life sentence for brutal murder of sex offender

1-28-2009 United Kingdom:

A MACCLESFIELD dad of three has been jailed for life for brutally murdering his 60-year-old flatmate after learning he was a convicted paedophile.

Ex-butcher Lea Mason, 33, formerly of Turnock Street, will serve a minimum of 17 and a half years after launching a "violent and frenzied attack" on his victim.

Mason used knives to stab, and a frying pan to bludgeon, Darren Presley – until they bent or broke – then stamped on his head, which left "huge gaping holes" and soaked the killer’s trainers in blood, a judge heard.

Mason and co-defendant Stephen Brian Kidd, 37, originally from Stoke, both pleaded guilty to murder at Preston Crown Court and were sentenced last Thursday (January 22).

Mason was a thug well-known to police in Macclesfield through a string of violent offences stretching back 15 years.

He admitted the murder after being captured by police in Blackpool. ..News Source.. by Pete Bainbridge

NZ- Murder-accused admits razing stepfather's house

10-21-2008 New Zealand:

A man accused of murdering his convicted sex offender step-father has admitted burning down his house.

Jamie Stewart Davies, 31, of Raglan, yesterday admitted a charge of arson at the start of his murder trial in the High Court at Hamilton.

Davies is charged with murdering his stepfather, Allan Wallace Davies, 57, whose body was found in his burned-out house in Struve St, Ngaruawahia, on September 28 last year.

Police arrested Davies four days later, in Tauranga.

An autopsy on Allan Davies showed he died before the fire, allegedly from injuries inflicted by the accused.

In his opening address, Crown prosecutor Ross Douch said Jamies Davies had arrived at his stepfather's home in the early hours of September 28 with the intention of confronting him.

The court heard that Allan Davies was due to be sentenced in the Hamilton District Court for historic sex offending. He had earlier been found guilty of five representative charges of committing indecencies with a girl under the age of 12.

Mr Douch told the court that in a taped interview at the Tauranga police station on October 2, Davies said he had "lost control" when confronting his step-father over his historic sex offending.

Davies admitted punching Allan Davies between 20 to 40 times.

During the taped interview, however, Davies insisted he had not gone round to the house to kill his stepfather but instead "to talk to him".

Mr Douch - citing a pathologist report - said Mr Davies' injuries included a 4cm fracture across his breast bone, an injury to the back of his head and neck injuries consistent with strangulation.

He said Davies had meant to cause the death of his step-father.

"He wanted him dead," Mr Douch told the jury.

The Crown is expected to call 18 witnesses, including a taxi driver who drove Davies to his stepfather's home on the day of the incident.

Defence counsel Paul Mabey QC, in his opening address, told the court that while Davies denied murdering Allan Davies, he did not deny killing him.

Mr Mabey said it was the jury's task to decide if Davies was guilty of murder or the lesser charge of manslaughter.

He said it was not a case of whether Davies could walk away free at the end of the trial.

The trial, before Justice Lang and a jury of six men and six women, continues. ..News Source.. by AARON LEAMAN

Man killed because he was 'alleged child molester'

June 2004 Ireland:

THE man whose body was found in a shed behind Dublin Airport was killed in a bid to "teach him a lesson" for allegedly molesting children, Dublin Circuit Criminal Court has heard.

One of two men denying the manslaughter of Noel Heffernan (35) of Ballyfermot Road, told gardai a third man had planned to give the victim "a few slaps because he was a child molester" and added: "I didn't know he was going to be killed."

Kevin McCarron (51) of Doyle's Lane, Arklow, Co Wicklow, who, with Joseph Zambra (28), of Inagh Road, Ballyfermot, has denied the manslaughter of Mr Heffernan, said the third man planned the assault as "a favour for a mate" whose child the deceased man had allegedly abused.

The two men have also denied charges of false imprisonment and assault of Mr Heffernan on a date unknown between August 5 and 15, 1999 at Kingstown, St Margaret's, Dublin.

Mr McCarron has also pleaded not guilty to stealing the van which Mr Heffernan used to make deliveries for his employer, Spring Fresh Company Limited; and Mr Zambra further pleaded not guilty to allowing himself to be carried in the stolen van.

The body of Mr Heffernan (35) of Ballyfermot Road was found in an abandoned shed behind Dublin Airport by a man walking his dog on August 15, 1999, 10 days after he was last seen alive.

The "third man" mentioned has been named in court as Tony Dempsey who was described in evidence as "a hardened criminal" with a conviction for armed robbery. Det Sgt Thomas McCarrack said Mr McCarron told gardai he had only known "a man was going to be taught a lesson". Mr McCarron said Mr Dempsey had asked him to drive him to the abandoned farm house behind the airport. They were hiding behind the bushes when he saw a blue Toyota Hiace van being driven into the region.

He identified Mr Heffernan as driving and Mr Zambra as the passenger. As the van pulled over, Mr Dempsey went over to it, and with Mr Zambra, pulled Mr Heffernan out of the van and as Mr Dempsey proceeded to beat the victim, Mr McCarron and Mr Zambra were told to leave the scene and drive the van away.Mr McCarron told gardai he realised something had gone very wrong when he saw a news bulletin on television a few weeks later reporting the body found at the back of the airport.

The court heard the State was not alleging the two accused had murdered the victim but had assisted a "third man" in doing so.

The hearing continues before Judge Joseph Matthews and a jury of 11. ..News Source.. by Azra Naseem

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Main charge against Arklow resident and Dublin man is withdrawn

7-8-2004 Ireland:

An Arklow resident who was accused of the manslaughter of a Dublin man has had the charge against him dropped, following several days of legal argument at his trial in Dublin Circuit Criminal Court.Kevin McCarron (51), of Doyle's Lane, Arklow, along with Joseph Zambra (28), of Inagh Road, Ballyfermot, Dublin 10, had been charged with the manslaughter of Mr. Noel Heffernan in August 1999.

Manslaughter charge dropped

An Arklow resident who was accused of the manslaughter of a Dublin man has had the charge against him dropped, following several days of legal argument at his trial in Dublin Circuit Criminal Court.

Kevin McCarron (51), of Doyle's Lane, Arklow, along with Joseph Zambra (28), of Inagh Road, Ballyfermot, Dublin 10, had been charged with the manslaughter of Mr. Noel Heffernan in August 1999.

Early on in the trial, the court had heard that McCarron and Zambra had been asked by a third man to 'help him sort out' Mr Heffernan after he had allegedly molested children.

The trial then lapsed into a number of days of legal argument in the absence of the jury, and when the jury was finally recalled, Judge Joseph Matthews told them they could be discharged as the manslaughter charge against the defendants had been dropped.

Following the withdrawal of the main charge, Zambra pleaded guilty to the lesser charges of falsely imprisoning Mr Heffernan and allowing himself to be carried in a stolen van. McCarron pleaded guilty to stealing the vehicle in which Zambra was a passenger.

The vehicle was a van driven at the time by Mr Heffernan, who was a vegetable delivery man with Spring Fresh Ltd.

Judge Joseph Matthews remanded both on bail, with signing on conditions at their local garda stations, for sentence on October 8, 2004.

During the four-week trial, of which two weeks were spent in legal argument in the absence of the jury, the court had heard that it was not the State's case that Zambra and McCarron had murdered the victim but had assisted a 'third man' in doing so.

The jury was also told that the third man was a known Dublin criminal called Anthony Dempsey who had falsely told both Mr Zambra and Mr McCarron that Mr Heffernan was a child molester and he needed their assistance in teaching him a lesson.

Zambra, for whom Mr Heffernan had babysat when he was a child, had taken Mr Heffernan to the shed behind the airport where his body was found. He had asked Mr Heffernan to give him a lift to the location and the now deceased man agreed.

Dempsey and McCarron were at the scene when they arrived, and shortly after that Zambra and McCarron left in Mr Heffernan's van, leaving him alone with Dempsey, a convicted armed robber. His body was found on August 15, 1999 by a man out walking his dog.

Mr Michael O'Higgins SC for McCarron, and Mr Niall Durnin SC, for Zambra, both told Judge Matthews that neither man knew that Demspey's intention was to kill Mr Heffernan.

Counsel said they thought he was going to be 'given a hiding' and be 'taught a lesson' for child molesting, an allegation which investigating gardai told the court had no foundation in truth. ..News Source.. by

Justice Delayed

9-3-2008 Canada:

Killers jailed 21 years after attack

Twenty-one years after Erwin Kakoschke was fatally beaten outside his North Kildonan home, two of his killers are finally behind bars.

Ernest Dennis Wolanicki, 46, and Edward Hugh Young, 43, pleaded guilty yesterday to manslaughter and were sentenced to eight years in prison.

A third man, Wolanicki's brother Orville Wolanicki, 41, pleaded guilty to aggravated assault. He will be sentenced later this fall and remains free on bail.

All three men were originally charged with second-degree murder but pleaded guilty to the reduced charges in a plea bargain with the Crown.

Kakoschke was beaten to death as he opened his garage door on Oct. 21, 1987. His daughter discovered his partially snow-covered body three days later.

Court heard the widower was targeted for a beating by his new girlfriend's ex-boyfriend. The man has since died and was never charged in connection with Kakoschke's death.

Ernest Wolanicki and Young told police it was another man who hired them to beat Kakoschke. They claimed the man lied to them, telling them Kakoschke was a pedophile.

Wolanicki and Young beat Kakoschke with a baseball bat and tire iron, smashing his skull and breaking his legs.

Police had no evidence linking the men to the crime and the investigation remained stalled for nearly 12 years when, in September 1999, patrol officers responded to a domestic disturbance between Ernest Wolanicki and his then-girlfriend.

The woman told police: "Why don't you ask him about the murder he did?"

In July 2001, Orville Wolanicki's ex-girlfriend came forward and told police Orville had confessed to his involvement in the killing, claiming they were paid several hundred dollars to beat up Kakoschke "and he ended up dying."

Orville Wolanicki is accused of driving the other two men to Kakoschke's home and did not participate in the beating.

The men weren't arrested until late 2001, shortly after the appearance of a story in the Winnipeg Sun.

Young was "haunted" by Kakoschke's killing and in 2006 tried to slit his throat in a failed suicide bid, said defence lawyer Martin Glazer.

"I do regret it, every day of my life," Young told members of Kakoschke's family yesterday. "I'm sorry, I truly am sorry."

Ernest Wolanicki said he has never stopped thinking about Kakoschke's death.

"I'm ashamed that I have to appear before you today," Wolanicki told Justice Murray Sinclair. "My sentence for this basically started the day this happened."

Sinclair rejected an attempt by the defence to paint Wolanicki and Young as victims.

Kakoschke "did nothing wrong but try to live his life," Sinclair said.

"I do not see the accused as victims. They are the ones who willingly participated in beating the victim." ..News Source.. by DEAN PRITCHARD, SUN MEDIA

NZ- Court hears of mother's death threat

9-1-2008 New Zealand:

A solo mother accused of murdering a convicted paedophile told friends she was going to kill him after he was found sexually abusing a 10-year-old girl, a court was told.

Glen Stinson was bashed to death in a violent vigilante attack on July 31 last year in Foxton.

It is alleged that two men dealt blows to his head and neck in the savage attack that lasted as little as a minute, while the woman watched on, before leaving him for dead. His battered body was found dumped outside a poultry farm.

The woman, 32, who has name suppression, and Aubrey Harrison, 27, denied charges of murder and appeared in the High Court at Palmerston North yesterday. Mr Harrison's uncle, Bruce Tamatea, 46, has pleaded guilty to the murder.

On the night of the killing the group had been drinking at Tamatea's home, before Mr Stinson was found touching the girl.

His partner of three months, Lesley Moana, found him lying on the bed in the dark, under a blanket, with the girl sitting on his knee. Just three weeks earlier he had been accused of molesting a 15-year-old at the home.

Another woman at the party attacked Mr Stinson and he was pushed down the stairs.

Prosecutor Ben Vanderkolk said the woman "wanted to do more" and told the party she was "going to kill the bastard".

As Ms Moana and Mr Stinson walked back to his boarding house a car stopped and they were forced inside, but Ms Moana was dropped off.

The prosecution said Mr Stinson was kept as a "virtual captive", beaten by the woman as they drove out to Himatangi Beach and back to Foxton. It is alleged he was then punched and kicked to death by Tamatea and Harrison.

Mr Vanderkolk said the injuries were inflicted in more than one minute but less than five, showing the viciousness of the beating.

Mr Stinson had tearfully and pathetically asked them to stop and showed no signs of defending himself. The accused saw the attack as avenging the sexual abuse by killing the paedophile, Mr Vanderkolk said.

Twenty-five witnesses are expected to be called, including the girl abused by Mr Stinson.

Mr Stinson had a history of sex offences against young girls dating back to 1967, and was due to appear in court on four charges, including the attempted rape of a girl under 12, when he was killed. ..News Source.. by KELLY BURNS - The Dominion Post

AU- A MAN fatally beat another - who he believed to be a pedophile - to protect his fiancee from sexual assault, a court has heard.

8-26-2008 Australia:

Duane Matthew Simpson today told the Supreme Court he "lost control" and killed Robert Albert Gardiner only after "extreme and grave provocation".

The court was told Simpson attacked Gardiner after walking in on the attempted assault of Tiahn Louise Lovell - who is charged with assisting her fiance's crime of manslaughter.

Gilbert Aitken, for Simpson, said Gardiner's actions mitigated his client's conduct.

"Simpson's first reaction was to go to the aid and protection of his fiancee, and all sorts of things were going through his head," he said.

"He saw a man trying to grope his fiancee, trying to touch her breasts, and he knew Gardiner was a sex offender who had been jailed for offences of violence.

"It was extreme and grave provocation, and he lost control."

Simpson, 27, has pleaded guilty to manslaughter.

Lovell, 31, and their friend Brenton James Grosser, 44, have admitted assisting an offender.

Simpson killed Gardiner, whose badly beaten body was found at a property at Wandearah East, near Port Pirie, on Australia Day last year.

His ankles were bound by red tape, his shorts pulled down around his ankles and his T-shirt was stuck around his neck.

A broken piece of a whisky bottle was found wedged inside Gardiner's mouth and one of his legs was broken after his death.

In sentencing submissions today, Mr Aitken said Gardiner liked to get drunk and incite fights by claiming he was a pedophile.

He said Lovell had shared with Simpson her long history of sexual abuse and domestic violence.

It was these factors, he said, that prompted Simpson's actions.

"My client is now absolutely shocked by the gravity of his actions, and is genuinely remorseful," he said.

Justice Trish Kelly will sentence all three offenders next month. ..News Source.. by SEAN FEWSTER, COURT REPORTER

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Three people accused of murdering a man at Wandearah East, near Port Pirie, have changed their pleas in the Supreme Court at Port Augusta.

7-23-2008 Australia:

Duane Matthew Simpson, 27, Brenton James Grosser, 44, and Tiahn Louise Lovell, 31, each pleaded not guilty to bashing Robert Albert Gardiner to death, in January 2007.

Their trial began this month but was stopped when Simpson pleaded guilty to the lesser charge of manslaughter.

Lovell and Grosser have admitted to assisting an offender.

There will be a sentencing submissions hearing in Adelaide next month. ..News Source.. by ABC North and West

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Man jailed for killing sex offender

9-23-2008 Australia:

A SOUTH Australian man kicked and bashed a convicted sex offender to death after the man tried to grope his girlfriend, a court has been told.

Duane Matthew Simpson, 27, was today jailed for at least six years after pleading guilty to the manslaughter of Robert Gardiner on Australia Day last year.

SA Supreme Court justice Trish Kelly said a post-mortem examination showed Mr Gardiner suffered 10 to 15 blows to the head, consistent with being hit, kicked and stomped on.

His body also showed signs of being run over and he was found to have a broken cheekbone and part of a broken bottle wedged in his throat.

"Basically you kicked and beat Mr Gardiner to death in a sustained and violent attack," the judge told Simpson.

She said Simpson had admitted losing control after he saw the victim making sexual advances to his girlfriend, Tiahn Louise Lovell, at a house they all shared near Port Pirie, north of Adelaide.

The judge said Simpson had problems with anger management and abused both drugs and alcohol.

He also was aware that Mr Gardiner was a convicted sex offender.

After the bashing Simpson, and another occupant of the house, Brenton James Grosser, bound the dead man's ankles with tape and moved his body out of the house.

Simpson, Grosser and Lovell then fled the scene but were tracked down by police.

Justice Kelly said she accepted that Simpson had been provoked by Mr Gardiner's action but described his response as out of proportion.

She imposed a sentence of nine years and four months with a non-parole-period of six years.

Grosser, 45, was jailed for a minimum of six months after pleading guilty to assisting an offender while Lovell, 31, was given a six-month suspended sentence also for assisting an offender.

..News Source.. by The Australian