Father and son jailed for life for Downham Market murder
The pair carried out a 'harrowing and brutal attack' on 39 year old Matthew Rodwell
A father and son have been jailed for life for the murder of a man in Downham Market last year.
Wayne Peckham, 48 and his 23-year-old son Riley, both of Manby Close in Hilgay, were sentenced at Norwich Crown Court to a minimum of 24 years and 18 years behind bars respectively.
The pair were involved in a “harrowing and brutal” attack on 39 year old Matthew Rodwell, who was in a relationship with Wayne's wife and Riley's mother, on January 23 last year.
The father and son moved CCTV and doorbell cameras at the address on Bulrush Close before forcing their way in.
Matthew hid upstairs and attempted to call police, with a 999 call handler recording all subsequent events.
Riley fought Matthew upstairs while Wayne was restrained by his ex-partner. Wayne then joined in with the assault as Matthew lay unconscious.
Officers arrived at the scene soon after to arrest both defendants. Riley fled and was found two hours later at a relatives' house, still handcuffed.
Matthew was pronounced dead at the scene.
A police investigation revealed Matthew had been threatened several times by Wayne and Riley during his relationship.
Both Wayne and Riley, of Manby Close, Hilgay, were sentenced over an earlier assault against another man which happened in December 2021 in Downham Market.
Wayne was convicted of two counts of assault occasioning actual bodily harm and but found not guilty of assault by beating. He was also convicted of assault occasioning actual bodily harm against his ex-partner on January 23 last year.
Riley was also convicted assault occasioning actual bodily harm in relation to the same December incident.