Three people jailed for total 56 years for killing vulnerable Ipswich man
The group were known to the victim who was found dead in August 2018.
Last updated 25th May 2021
Three people, who were found guilty of the murder of a vulnerable man from Ipswich, have been given a total of 56 years in prison.
Joe Pooley was found dead in the River Gipping near to London Road on Monday 13th August 2018.
The 22 year-old was considered vulnerable and relied on support from his family and social care.
He was reported missing on Friday 10th August 2018, with his body discovered in the river three days later.
A post-mortem examination determined that the likely cause of death was immersion in water.
After a lengthy and complex investigation, detectives concluded that Joe Pooley had been unlawfully killed in the early hours of 7 August 2018.
He was known to his killers as they were part of the same extended social network.
The defendants are:
- 35 year-old Sebastian Smith (previously known as Luke Greenland) of Ramsey Road in Hawick, Roxburghshire - Life imprisonment with minimum term of 21 years
- 31 year-old Sean Palmer of South Market Road in Great Yarmouth - Life imprisonment with minimum term of 18 years
- 30 year-old Rebecca (Becki) West-Davidson (previously known as Rebecca Shevlin) of Roper Court in Ipswich - Life imprisonment with minimum term of 17 years
All three were found guilty of murder at Ipswich Crown Court on Friday 19th March 2021.
Sean Palmer and Becki West-Davidson were first arrested on 2nd October 2018 on suspicion of murder and both subsequently released.
Sebastian Smith was first arrested on suspicion of murder on 17th January 2019 before being released.
Over the course of the next eight months the investigation continued with further interviews occurring.
On 30th October 2019 Sebastian Smith was charged with murder.
The following day Sean Palmer, Becki West-Davidson were also charged with murder.
Detective Inspector Karl Nightingale, of the Major Investigation Team, said: "Joe Pooley was a young man who wanted to be liked and sought friendship.
"Sadly, some people took advantage of his vulnerabilities and used him.
"The convictions and sentencing of Sebastian Smith, Sean Palmer and Becki West-Davidson bring to a close a long wait for some justice for Joe’s family.
"They have shown great resilience and patience throughout whilst also grieving the loss of a much-loved son, grandson, brother, uncle, family member and friend.
"My thoughts will always be with them.”