Drug user who beat 63-year-old man to death in Brentwood jailed
John Moore launched a fatal assault on Francis Reilly in September 2024 after Mr Reilly visited the killer’s flat in Ingrave Road.
A vengeful drug user who beat a man to death after being confronted over a debt has been jailed following an extensive investigation by our major crime detectives.
John Moore, 39, launched a fatal assault on 63-year-old Francis Reilly in September last year, after Mr Reilly visited the killer’s flat in Ingrave Road, Brentwood.
Moore, who regularly borrowed money from acquaintances to fuel his drug habit, was in debt to Mr Reilly.
Mr Reilly, angry over Moore’s failure to repay him, visited his flat on the afternoon of 12 September to confront him.
Mr Reilly had come to the address carrying a small bottle of ammonia, which he attempted to squirt towards Moore.
Arming himself with a hammer, Moore proceeded to repeatedly beat Mr Reilly with the weapon and threw him against a wall.
Mr Reilly managed to flee the flat, but Moore’s assault continued outside, in view of a taxi driver.
When police arrived they called for paramedics, but Mr Reilly died at the scene at 4.25pm.
Moore admitted manslaughter ahead of a planned re-trial – a plea which was deemed acceptable by all parties.
On Monday (13 October), he was sentenced to six years and two months imprisonment.