Man sentenced to life for murder

Man jailed after beating another man to death in unprovoked attack

Published 8th Dec 2016

A man who beat another man to death during an unprovoked attack has been jailed for life. Sean Paul Gavin, 28, of Charlestown Road, Manchester, was today sentenced to life with a minimum of 14 years at Manchester Crown Court for the murder of John Terrell.

He pleaded guilty at an earlier hearing.

The court heard how shortly after 6.50am on Friday 1 July, 2016, an eye-witness called 999 to report a disturbance outside John’s home on Peakdale Drive.

The 53-year-old was lay face down on the grass while Gavin shouted at him before punching and kicking him.

The tirade of abuse, which included stamping on John’s head while he lay motionless on the ground, continued until Gavin began dragging John across the floor and back to the flat.

The only time the 28-year-old stopped dragging him was to deliver further kicks, punches and stamps.

Gavin then walked away leaving John unconscious in the flat.

Moments later officers attended and stopped Gavin before they found John badly injured on the floor.

He was immediately taken to hospital but sadly died as a result of multiple injuries.

Senior investigation officer for GMP, Duncan Thorpe, said: “This was a sustained brutal attack on a vulnerable man.

“To this day we still don’t know why he launched into the violent attack in the way that he did. He has never showed any remorse for his despicable actions.

“I hope this sentence brings some comfort to John’s family who are understandably devastated by their loss.”