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| Version 4 | Version 5 |
|---|---|
| Three jailed for father's murder | Three jailed for father's murder |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| Two men and a teenager have been jailed for life for murdering a father who they kicked and stamped to death while trying to burgle his house. | Two men and a teenager have been jailed for life for murdering a father who they kicked and stamped to death while trying to burgle his house. |
| Curtis Delima, 19, Mark Elliott, 21, and Gerry Cusden, 16, were found guilty of murdering Mark Witherall, 47. | Curtis Delima, 19, Mark Elliott, 21, and Gerry Cusden, 16, were found guilty of murdering Mark Witherall, 47. |
| They turned on Mr Witherall in January last year after he confronted them in his home in Whitstable, Kent. | They turned on Mr Witherall in January last year after he confronted them in his home in Whitstable, Kent. |
| Delima was told he will serve a minimum of 20 years, Elliott at least 23 years and Cusden at least 16 years. | Delima was told he will serve a minimum of 20 years, Elliott at least 23 years and Cusden at least 16 years. |
| Judge Timothy Pontius said the trio, who were found guilty last month after a nine-week trial at Maidstone Crown Court, had behaved like a "pack of hyenas". | Judge Timothy Pontius said the trio, who were found guilty last month after a nine-week trial at Maidstone Crown Court, had behaved like a "pack of hyenas". |
| 'Savagery and force' | 'Savagery and force' |
| "The three of you intended to hurt Mark Witherall very badly, as together you kicked and stamped on him as he lay utterly defenceless on the ground," he said. | "The three of you intended to hurt Mark Witherall very badly, as together you kicked and stamped on him as he lay utterly defenceless on the ground," he said. |
| "The fatal injuries were by repeated blows with feet, not heavily shod but wearing trainers, a fact which underlines the savagery and force behind those kicks, leading to massive internal bleeding." | "The fatal injuries were by repeated blows with feet, not heavily shod but wearing trainers, a fact which underlines the savagery and force behind those kicks, leading to massive internal bleeding." |
| Mark Elliott, Curtis Delima and Gerry Cusden were jailed for life | Mark Elliott, Curtis Delima and Gerry Cusden were jailed for life |
| The jury heard CCTV footage of the attack, which captured the attackers' voices as they kicked and stamped on Mr Witherall. | The jury heard CCTV footage of the attack, which captured the attackers' voices as they kicked and stamped on Mr Witherall. |
| The court was told they had been to a party attended by Mr Witherall's partner, Sally George, 47, after drinking all day. | The court was told they had been to a party attended by Mr Witherall's partner, Sally George, 47, after drinking all day. |
| They took her house keys from her bag when she was not looking and let themselves into her property to look for valuables. | They took her house keys from her bag when she was not looking and let themselves into her property to look for valuables. |
| When Mr Witherall woke up and chased them out of the house Elliot picked up a spirit level which he gave to Delima who then hit the 47-year-old in the face. | When Mr Witherall woke up and chased them out of the house Elliot picked up a spirit level which he gave to Delima who then hit the 47-year-old in the face. |
| The group kicked and stamped on him as he lay on the ground before stealing items from the house. | The group kicked and stamped on him as he lay on the ground before stealing items from the house. |
| Lawyers applauded | Lawyers applauded |
| Mr Witherall, who had two daughters aged 30 and 10 and an eight-year-old son, was on a life-support machine in hospital until his death on 7 March last year. | Mr Witherall, who had two daughters aged 30 and 10 and an eight-year-old son, was on a life-support machine in hospital until his death on 7 March last year. |
| The jury also found Elliot guilty of conspiracy to murder. Delima and Cusden, who was aged 15 at the time of the attack, had previously pleaded guilty to the charge. | The jury also found Elliot guilty of conspiracy to murder. Delima and Cusden, who was aged 15 at the time of the attack, had previously pleaded guilty to the charge. |
| A 21-year-old woman, Carley Firminger, was cleared of the murder. | A 21-year-old woman, Carley Firminger, was cleared of the murder. |
| Members of Mr Witherall's family, who were sitting in the public gallery, applauded prosecution lawyers and Judge Pontius after Elliott, Delima and Curtis were led away from the dock. | Members of Mr Witherall's family, who were sitting in the public gallery, applauded prosecution lawyers and Judge Pontius after Elliott, Delima and Curtis were led away from the dock. |
| Speaking outside the court, Mr Witherall's former-wife Michelle said the family were "relieved" at the sentences. | Speaking outside the court, Mr Witherall's former-wife Michelle said the family were "relieved" at the sentences. |
| Mrs Witherall, 38, who has a 10-year-old daughter and an eight-year-old son with Mr Witherall, said: "The sentences were fair. Now we can move on and rebuild our lives and get a normal life for the children." | Mrs Witherall, 38, who has a 10-year-old daughter and an eight-year-old son with Mr Witherall, said: "The sentences were fair. Now we can move on and rebuild our lives and get a normal life for the children." |
| She said the close-knit family had been "devastated" by the death of Mr Witherall, who also had a 30-year-old daughter from another relationship. | She said the close-knit family had been "devastated" by the death of Mr Witherall, who also had a 30-year-old daughter from another relationship. |
| Mr Witherall's father, also named Mark, said he was pleased with the result. | Mr Witherall's father, also named Mark, said he was pleased with the result. |
| Mr Witherall, 74, said: "None of the three lads seem to be able to comprehend what they have done. I couldn't tell you what I think of them. | Mr Witherall, 74, said: "None of the three lads seem to be able to comprehend what they have done. I couldn't tell you what I think of them. |
| "The family feel that justice has been done though." | "The family feel that justice has been done though." |