Legal News

Luton Crown Court has jailed two men convicted of the murder of a man in Stevenage, Hertfordshire in November 2016.

They were convicted on 15 May after a three-week trial – and at a sentencing hearing in May, John Jamieson, 36, of Wigram Way in Stevenage and Graham King, 36, of Harrow Court in Stevenage were jailed for life, after being found guilty of the murder of 58-year-old Peter Shickle.

Jamieson was sentenced to life imprisonment and is to serve a minimum of 19 years – King was sentenced to life imprisonment and is to serve a minimum of 16 years.

Senior Crown Prosecutor for Thames and Chiltern Crown Prosecution Service (CPS), Robbie Weber, said:

“At about 3pm on Sunday, 6 November 2016, Peter was found dead at his home in Silam Road, Stevenage.

“He had been beaten to death in a frenzied and sustained attack with fists, feet, weapons and a large flat screen TV – and had suffered numerous injuries, including a fractured bone in his throat, 16 fractures to his ribs, a broken nose and serious head injuries normally seen in car crash victims, which had caused bleeding on the brain.

“About a week before he was found dead, Peter had been drinking in Stevenage with a woman, when a physical altercation occurred between them. On hearing about the altercation, the woman's son, John Jamieson – in company with his friend, Graham King – went in search of Peter to exact brutal retribution upon him.

“Both men acted jointly, together – and are clearly extremely ruthless, calculated and violent individuals.

“Jamieson claimed he had ever been to Peter's home and denied attacking him – but admitted being with King on the day in question.

“He later claimed to the jury that he used the flat screen TV to protect himself because Peter had threatened him with a Stanley knife. King refused to answer any questions when interviewed by the police.

“They were both linked to the murder by CCTV, a mobile phone – which was inadvertently dropped by King at Peter's flat; forensic evidence – the trainers Jamieson was wearing at the time of his arrest and clothing found at his home were found to be stained with Peter's blood; and DNA – a Stanley knife found at Peter's flat had King's DNA on both sides of the handle, and a bronze statue found at the flat had traces of DNA on it from both Jamieson and King.

“Both have today been found guilty of murder, despite their denials.

“This case represents a tragedy for Peter's family and friends, who have been devastated by his death – I would like to pay tribute to them and the witnesses for their support of the investigation and prosecution.

“We have worked closely with the Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Hertfordshire Major Crime Team since this investigation was launched – and, as a result of the hard work and diligence of the prosecution team, a just outcome has been achieved.

“We know that nothing will bring Peter back to his family and friends, but we hope that the convictions and today's sentences bring them at least a small sense that justice has been done.”

Duncan Lewis Crime Lawyers

Duncan Lewis can advise at any stage a charge involving violent crime, including gang crime, manslaughter, murder, attempted murder, armed robbery, robbery with violence, gun crime, knife crime, rape and ABH/GBH or assault.

There are Duncan Lewis offices across England and Wales and a Duncan Lewis criminal defence solicitor can usually reach a police station for interview under caution within an hour.

For expert legal advice on charges relating to violent crime, call Duncan Lewis crime lawyers on 0333 772 0409.

For 24/7 help at a police station, call the Duncan Lewis Solicitors Emergency Helpline on 0333 772 0607.