2 men to be sentenced for murder of Sunderland man
Blaine Hammond had been brutally assaulted and abandoned in Sunderland last December
Last updated 14th Nov 2022
Two men will be sentenced, for the murder of a 22 year old in Sunderland last year.
Louis Whelan and Anthony Keating, both 23, have been convicted after brutally assaulting Blaine Hammond on the morning of December 3 last year.
His injured body was then dragged to and abandoned in a disused exchange box across the street.
Emergency services attended Saltburn Road and found the body of 22-year-old Blaine, who was later pronounced dead.
An investigation was immediately launched by police and extensive CCTV, house-to-house and forensic enquiries soon enabled detectives to arrest and later charge Whelan and Keating with murder.
During a four-week trial at Newcastle Crown Court, a jury heard how Whelan, of Watling Street, Towcester, and Keating, of Palmerston Road, Sunderland, savagely beat Blaine before leaving him for dead.
Today, following the conclusion of the trail, the duo has been found guilty of murder.
They were remanded into custody and are due to be sentenced before the same court at a later date.
Speaking after the hearing, Senior Investigating Officer, Detective Chief Inspector Sharon Chatterton, said: “First and foremost, our thoughts remain with Blaine’s loved ones following his tragic death and we will continue to support them in any way that we can.
“This was a shocking and brutal attack which has left a family without a son, brother, nephew, uncle, grandson and a dear friend.
“The offenders have then gone on to deny the charges put to them and made Blaine’s loved ones suffer through a lengthy court process and trial before they were able to see justice done in court.
“No result will ever take away the pain of what’s happened, but hopefully this guilty verdict today gives the family some closure.
“Finally, I want to thank the team of officers and staff who have remained dedicated to this investigation and worked tirelessly to ensure a conviction.
“I also want to commend the local community and all those who helped with this case - your support has helped get the result Blaine and his family deserve.”