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Two jailed for 'brutal' killing of man with learning difficulties | |
(about 2 hours later) | |
Two men who used their phones to film themselves brutally attacking a man with learning difficulties have been jailed for his murder. | |
Keith Lowe and Joshua Hack lured Brendan Mason to Abbey Park in Leicester where they beat him, stripped him naked to get rid of evidence, then left him for dead. | |
Mr Mason, 23, died in hospital after suffering 99 injuries. | |
Lowe, 22, and Hack, 21, were given life sentences at Leicester Crown Court. | |
Lowe will serve a minimum of 21 years and Hack will serve a minimum of 20 years and six months. | |
Hack admitted murder while Lowe changed his plea to guilty after video evidence emerged during his trial of him landing blows on Mr Mason. | |
Prosecutor Miranda Moore QC said the defendants filmed the attack for a third party to view and footage shows Mr Mason's naked and bloodied body on the ground. | |
'Two evil people' | |
Speaking after the sentencing, Mr Mason's aunt Sarah Chambers said: "It is not right how two evil people can do such a horrific thing and leave a massive hole in our lives that will never be filled again. | |
"Brendan was a lovely young man and he was so happy. | |
"Even though Brendan had numerous learning difficulties and was very easily led by others, he always knew right from wrong." | |
The court heard Lowe, of Rockingham Close, Leicester, and Hack, of St Helen's Drive, Leicester, had been friends of Mr Mason and planned to assault him. | |
Judge Michael Chambers QC said the attack on 5 July "was an intention to cause extremely severe violence and injury". | |
'Chilling' video evidence | 'Chilling' video evidence |
"You [Lowe and Hack] subjected him [Mr Mason] to a brutal and sustained attack in which you caused him great pain and humiliation," he said. | "You [Lowe and Hack] subjected him [Mr Mason] to a brutal and sustained attack in which you caused him great pain and humiliation," he said. |
"Brendan Mason was only 23 with his life before him. You subjected him to a merciless attack with extreme violence." | "Brendan Mason was only 23 with his life before him. You subjected him to a merciless attack with extreme violence." |
Judge Chambers described the footage, which was not shown in court, as "chilling and deeply disturbing". | Judge Chambers described the footage, which was not shown in court, as "chilling and deeply disturbing". |