A person who subjected his finest pal to a “horrific” hammer assault was caught after he was overheard discussing the killing on the bus.
Gary O’Neill, 32, inflicted lethal blows on Kenneth Ford at his bedsit in Colebrook Road, Birmingham, on 27 February, 2022.
Mr Ford, 30, was discovered round 5.40pm with bruising and puncture wounds throughout his physique, together with a 10p-sized wound by his temple.
He additionally had “defence wounds to his hands” the place he had tried to guard himself throughout the “sustained and horrific” assault, West Midlands Police stated.
Paramedics have been unable to avoid wasting his life and he was pronounced useless on the scene.
O’Neill fled Birmingham the next morning, boarding a bus to Glasgow.
He was overheard on the cellphone saying he had “straightened Ken out” and suggesting he wanted an ambulance, the drive stated.
A bus passenger raised the alarm with police, who intercepted O’Neill when he arrived in Glasgow, carrying blood-stained clothes.
DNA checks revealed Mr Ford’s blood was on his jogging bottoms, whereas cellphone evaluation confirmed he was on the scene of the killing.
Detective Inspector Michelle Thurgood, from the West Midlands Police murder unit, stated: “We heard from people who said O’Neill and Mr Ford were best friends.
“However, they frequently drank closely and took pharmaceuticals.
“The attack was sustained and horrific and Mr Ford was found with defence wounds to his hands where he’d tried to protect himself.
“We’re grateful to the bus passenger who alerted police on listening to O’Neill on the cellphone and that allowed us to liaise with Police Scotland in time to intercept O’Neill when he arrived in Glasgow.”
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O’Neill was discovered not responsible of homicide by a jury at Birmingham Crown Court on Tuesday.
However, throughout the trial, he supplied a plea of manslaughter because of diminished accountability, which was accepted by prosecutors.
O’Neill is because of be sentenced on 9 February subsequent 12 months.
Source: information.sky.com”