Man jailed for 17 years over killing of Ipswich pensioner
It's after a 'callous' attack outside the victim's home four years ago
Last updated 18th Nov 2022
A man has been jailed for 17 years over the kiing of a pensioner in Ipswich who was attacked outside of his home around four years ago.
Clive Wyard, 74. was found collapsed on his driveway in Valley Road at around 7:15am on Friday July 20 2018.
He'd suffered multiple serious injuries, including numerous deep cuts all over his body. He died in hospital 12 days later.
A post mortem found Mr Wyard had suffered a fractured skull and bleed on the brain.
Mr Wyard had left the Royal George pub on Colchester Road after midnight on the day he was attacked, walking to his home close to the junction of Westerfield Road. He was last seen on CCTV around 200 yards away from his house.
35-year-old Rhys Burroughs was linked to the scene using DNA evidence and was later charged with attempted robbery and manslaughter, of which he was found guilty.
He is already serving an eight year sentence for the robbery of a 79 year old woman in 2017 - and will serve this new sentence alongside time for the previous conviction.
Detective Inspector Lewis Craske, the Senior Investigating Officer, said: “Rhys Burroughs’ attack on Clive Wyard in the early hours of that summer morning four years ago, was both callous and cowardly.
“Burroughs has displayed no real remorse for his actions and has not offered any proper explanation as to what happened, but his guilty plea is an admission that he assaulted and attempted to rob Mr Wyard.
“Although Rhys Burroughs may not have intended to kill Mr Wyard there is no dispute that following the attack, he ultimately left him for dead on his driveway.
"This was not the first time Burroughs had assaulted a person aged in their 70s as his previous conviction demonstrates – put quite simply, his crimes are despicable.
“Clive Wyard was a greatly loved father and grandfather, who had enjoyed his usual Thursday darts night at his local pub. He should have been safe to walk home, as he always did, without fear of being attacked.
“Burroughs has refused to tell us exactly how and why he came to attack Mr Wyard, but we know unquestionably that he did assault him.
"His continued silence - despite his guilty plea - underlines my view of him as a cold-hearted killer, unable even now to give Clive’s loved ones the answers they deserve."