A homeless man's been found guilty of the murder of a man he befriended in Skegness
He'll be sentenced on Monday
A man's been found guilty of the murder of a man he befriended in Skegness.
A jury sitting at Lincoln Crown Court heard that 33-year-old Anthony David Robertson of no fixed address met Charles McGhee Adair in the street.
Mr McGee Adair had gone to the town to visit a music festival but later went into the town centre after being refused entry.
The pair spent the evening drinking together and buying drugs funded by Mr McGee Adair before Robertson later beat him to death. Robertson had also stolen his bankcard, wallet and mobile phone.
Police received a report a body had been found on scrubland on Richmond Drive near Tesco back in July 2023.
A post-mortem examination confirmed Mr McGhee Adair, aged 59, had serious head injuries including ‘extensive’ fractures and deep lacerations to his face which a pathologist said had been caused by ‘multiple’ blunt force traumas. Robertson had clearly targeted his victim’s head causing the catastrophic injury in which his skull was cracked.
The pathologist said the injuries were not consistent with any particular weapon, but a piece of wood may have been used which was located in the scrubland. Following a complex investigation, Robertson, of no fixed address, was identified through CCTV, located, and arrested on suspicion of murder. He was charged with murder, robbery, and fraud by misrepresentation.
Robertson, who initially denied any involvement, had pleaded guilty to manslaughter at a previous hearing. However, the jury found him guilty of murder and robbery. He had previously pleaded guilty to fraud.
DCI Jen Lovatt, from East Midlands Special Operations Unit, said:
“Robertson clearly used Mr McGhee Adair to fund his night out during which he was bought alcohol, food, and drugs.
“Robertson used his victim as a cash-cow and aimed to obtain as much money from him as possible. Adair was set to leave Skegness later the day he died and would have ended Roberson’s cash flow, leading to the attack. He clearly set out to exploit Mr McGhee Adair’s generosity.
“Our investigation showed that Robertson used his victim’s bank card after death. Robertson sold the victim’s phone without his knowledge during the evening prior to his death.
“This was a vicious attack in which Robertson beat Mr McGhee Adair and left him for dead. He stole his wallet containing his bank card which he used several times and also stole his mobile phone.
“This was a complex investigation and we would like to thank everyone for their support.
“Our thoughts are with Mr McGhee Adair’s family at this difficult time. He was a much-loved grandad, dad, and friend to many.”
Robertson will be sentenced on Monday.