Man jailed after murdering terminally ill friend in Sutton Coldfield

Craig Moult was violently attacked at his home in Boldmere Close on 1 September last year.

Author: Claire EmmsPublished 11th Dec 2024
Last updated 12th Dec 2024

A man has been jailed for murdering a terminally ill man in his Sutton Coldfield home.

Craig Moult, 45, was violently attacked at his home in Boldmere Close by his ‘friend’ on 1 September last year. He suffered over 100 injuries.

Sadly, Craig died from his injuries and he was discovered by his family a few days later.

Leroy Lawrence, 46, was found guilty of murder after a four-week trial at Birmingham Crown Court and handed a life sentence. He'll serve a minimum of 26 years.

Lawrence and another friend visited Craig overnight on Thursday 31 August.

CCTV footage showed the friend leaving the following afternoon leaving Lawrence and Craig alone. During this time Lawrence violently attacked Craig.

Lawrence was then seen leaving Craig’s house three hours later.

A few days later, Lawrence handed himself into police. Following interview, where he answered no comment, he was remanded in custody.

Whilst in custody, Lawrence confessed his crime to an inmate. He revealed that he took Craig’s bank card and attempted a transaction but failed. He returned to Craig’s house two days after the attack and saw Craig dead. But instead of ringing emergency services, he stole more of Craig’s property and left. He also took photos on his mobile phone of his injuries.

Craig's family said: “Attending court every day for these weeks has been very hard for us as a family.

“To sit in court and listen to what Craig went through in his final moments has been heart breaking to hear as a family.

“This is something we will never be able to forget.

“Craig was our son, brother and father and he did not deserve what he was put through.

“Craig is still very much missed by family and friends every day and will continue to be forever and always.”

In an unconnected incident, Lawrence of no fixed address, was also found guilty of one count of theft against another victim. Lawrence stole various items including designer goods, jewellery and a bank card. The theft happened a day after Lawrence murdered Craig.

Chief Inspector Jim Mahon who led the investigation said: “Lawrence brutally killed Craig in his own home where he should have been safe.

“Craig suffered more than 100 injuries and was left to die by someone he called a friend.

“Lawrence then went on to commit even more crime by stealing from an innocent woman and returned back to Craig’s flat to steal his property.

“He is a dangerous man and has shown no remorse for any of his horrific actions.

“My thoughts are with Craig’s loved ones who have been forced to sit through a difficult trial.

“I hope they can take some measure of comfort in seeing his killer sentenced today.”

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