This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-37507728
The article has changed 4 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 2 | Version 3 |
|---|---|
| Man jailed for Biddenden widower murder and Northiam burglary | Man jailed for Biddenden widower murder and Northiam burglary |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| A man has been jailed for at least 28 years for murdering a widower beaten to death in a burglary at his home. | A man has been jailed for at least 28 years for murdering a widower beaten to death in a burglary at his home. |
| Roy Blackman, 73, was found with multiple blunt-force injuries in Biddenden, Kent, on 21 March. | Roy Blackman, 73, was found with multiple blunt-force injuries in Biddenden, Kent, on 21 March. |
| Mark Love will also serve 12 years concurrently for aggravated burglary at the East Sussex home of champion clay pigeon shooter George Digweed. | |
| The 37-year-old, of Frittenden Road, Staplehurst, was found guilty at Maidstone Crown Court. | The 37-year-old, of Frittenden Road, Staplehurst, was found guilty at Maidstone Crown Court. |
| Mr Blackman was found lifeless on the floor of his home in Headcorn Road and a safe containing up to £250,000 in cash, firearms and jewellery, had been stolen. | Mr Blackman was found lifeless on the floor of his home in Headcorn Road and a safe containing up to £250,000 in cash, firearms and jewellery, had been stolen. |
| The court heard Love was seen at Ashford Designer Outlet retail park, the day after the murder, spending hundreds of pounds on new clothes and asked staff to dispose of his old ones. | The court heard Love was seen at Ashford Designer Outlet retail park, the day after the murder, spending hundreds of pounds on new clothes and asked staff to dispose of his old ones. |
| He was with William Smith, who became a suspect in the murder inquiry, and was shot dead by police during a raid on 1 May while he was on bail. | He was with William Smith, who became a suspect in the murder inquiry, and was shot dead by police during a raid on 1 May while he was on bail. |
| Love was charged with murder after his DNA was found on a bathroom tap in Mr Blackman's home. | Love was charged with murder after his DNA was found on a bathroom tap in Mr Blackman's home. |
| Mr Blackman's family said: "The horror of what Mark Love and others did to our dad that night, together with the ransacking of his house, will haunt us forever and is truly unforgivable. | Mr Blackman's family said: "The horror of what Mark Love and others did to our dad that night, together with the ransacking of his house, will haunt us forever and is truly unforgivable. |
| "Justice has been served today but it will not bring him back." | "Justice has been served today but it will not bring him back." |
| Det Insp Lee Whitehead said police believed the offenders intended to burgle the house but were confronted by Mr Blackman. | Det Insp Lee Whitehead said police believed the offenders intended to burgle the house but were confronted by Mr Blackman. |
| "In relation to the attack in Northiam, I hope this conviction will go some way in allowing the victims to move on with their lives." | "In relation to the attack in Northiam, I hope this conviction will go some way in allowing the victims to move on with their lives." |
| Mr Digweed - who has 26 clay pigeon shooting world titles and was honoured with an MBE in 2009 - was badly beaten by intruders at his home in Ewhurst Lane, Northiam, on 21 February. | Mr Digweed - who has 26 clay pigeon shooting world titles and was honoured with an MBE in 2009 - was badly beaten by intruders at his home in Ewhurst Lane, Northiam, on 21 February. |
| Cash, guns, trophies, medals and Mr Digweed's 4x4 car were stolen in the raid. | Cash, guns, trophies, medals and Mr Digweed's 4x4 car were stolen in the raid. |