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Pair guilty of shop trip murder Pair guilty of shop trip murder
(20 minutes later)
A 20-year-old man and a 16-year-old boy have been found guilty of murdering a father-of-five as he walked home from a Staffordshire shop.A 20-year-old man and a 16-year-old boy have been found guilty of murdering a father-of-five as he walked home from a Staffordshire shop.
Michael Eccles was attacked as he returned to his home, in the Dimbles area of Lichfield, on 25 January 2009.Michael Eccles was attacked as he returned to his home, in the Dimbles area of Lichfield, on 25 January 2009.
The 43-year-old died a day later from injuries he sustained.The 43-year-old died a day later from injuries he sustained.
Carl Keatley, of Greencroft, and teenager Jordan Carroll, who is also from Lichfield, were convicted at Birmingham Crown Court.Carl Keatley, of Greencroft, and teenager Jordan Carroll, who is also from Lichfield, were convicted at Birmingham Crown Court.
The youth's father Edward Carroll, 55, was found guilty of perverting the course of justice.The youth's father Edward Carroll, 55, was found guilty of perverting the course of justice.
'Difficult and troubling'
The court was told he tried to help his son "cover up" the crime by putting his blood-stained clothes in the washing machine and cleaning blood from his head.The court was told he tried to help his son "cover up" the crime by putting his blood-stained clothes in the washing machine and cleaning blood from his head.
The court heard the pair had spent the day drinking vodka in a local park and were both drunk. 'Difficult and troubling'
The court heard the pair had spent the day drinking vodka in a local park and were both drunk. They had got into a "verbal exchange" with Mr Eccles as he left the store with a bottle of wine and milk and asked them to move on.
Mr Eccles was attacked after going to the shop to buy wine and milk 'Problems persist' at murder siteMr Eccles was attacked after going to the shop to buy wine and milk 'Problems persist' at murder site
They had got into a "verbal exchange" with Mr Eccles as he left the store with a bottle of wine and milk and asked them to move on. Keatley and Carroll had been seen "pushing barging and intimidating" the steel factory worker by a passing motorist, the court heard.
They then chased him and knocked him to the ground and punched, kicked and stamped on him.They then chased him and knocked him to the ground and punched, kicked and stamped on him.
He was left lying in the street with a burst eye socket, 10 broken ribs, broken bones in his neck and massive facial injuries.He was left lying in the street with a burst eye socket, 10 broken ribs, broken bones in his neck and massive facial injuries.
His head had been "literally kicked in", Gareth Evans QC, prosecuting, said.His head had been "literally kicked in", Gareth Evans QC, prosecuting, said.
Mr Evans told the jury his killers were clearly intent on causing trouble and had "decided to attack and did attack".
"They punched and kicked and stamped upon him and caused him grievous injuries from which he died the next day," he had told the court.
Judge Robert Juckes QC said the case had been "difficult and troubling".Judge Robert Juckes QC said the case had been "difficult and troubling".
He adjourned sentencing until 11 September. All three were remanded in custody.He adjourned sentencing until 11 September. All three were remanded in custody.
The sentence must be a deterrent to the feral youths who terrorise our society, apparently above the law John Bayliss, victim's brother-in-lawThe sentence must be a deterrent to the feral youths who terrorise our society, apparently above the law John Bayliss, victim's brother-in-law
Mr Eccles' family said they were "very pleased" with the verdict but called for tough sentences.Mr Eccles' family said they were "very pleased" with the verdict but called for tough sentences.
"We hope that the sentences that are passed will be harsh enough to reflect what was a vicious and sustained attack on an innocent man," his brother-in-law John Bayliss said."We hope that the sentences that are passed will be harsh enough to reflect what was a vicious and sustained attack on an innocent man," his brother-in-law John Bayliss said.
"I believe in an eye for an eye. In the absence of that, life should mean life - not 15 years or less."I believe in an eye for an eye. In the absence of that, life should mean life - not 15 years or less.
"The sentence must be a deterrent to the feral youths who terrorise our society, apparently above the law."The sentence must be a deterrent to the feral youths who terrorise our society, apparently above the law.
"We will never forgive this evil pair. They showed no mercy to a defenceless man as he lay dying on the floor.""We will never forgive this evil pair. They showed no mercy to a defenceless man as he lay dying on the floor."
Ch Supt Mick Harrison, of Staffordshire Police, said: "Mr Eccles suffered sickening injuries, in a pointless, savage attack.Ch Supt Mick Harrison, of Staffordshire Police, said: "Mr Eccles suffered sickening injuries, in a pointless, savage attack.
"His death was an utter tragedy. He was a much-loved and devoted family man, who was obviously highly regarded by his friends and colleagues. ""His death was an utter tragedy. He was a much-loved and devoted family man, who was obviously highly regarded by his friends and colleagues. "