Man admits murdering pensioner in Weymouth
Jake Saunders, 19, pleaded guilty to the murder of Anthony Jacob
A man has pled guilty to murdering a 75-year-old who he attacked after he was challenged for damaging a van in Weymouth.
Jake Saunders, 19, pleaded guilty to the murder of Anthony Jacob when he appeared at Bournemouth Crown Court on Friday 28 March. He will be sentenced on Monday 19 May.
The attack took place on Abbotsbury Road on the evening of Tuesday 10 December 2024. Jacob saw Saunders damaging a white VW Transporter van and confronted him. Saunders then assaulted him, knocking him to the ground before repeatedly kicking and stamping on his head.
Jacob was taken to hospital with serious head and facial injuries but died nine days later on Thursday 19 December.
Saunders was arrested the night of the attack in Newstead Road following a police search. While in custody, he assaulted three police officers. He was initially charged with attempted murder but faced a murder charge following Jacob’s death.
He also pleaded guilty to three counts of assaulting an emergency worker and two counts of criminal damage.
Detective Chief Inspector Neil Third, of Dorset Police’s Major Crime Investigation Team, said: “Anthony tried to reason with Jake Saunders when he saw him damaging someone else’s property. His selfless act of bravery cost him his life.
“The investigation team gathered all available evidence to bring Saunders before the courts. We hope this case shows our commitment to ensuring offenders are identified and held accountable.”