Latest news with #BristolCrownCourt
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Builder in £2m fraud trial 'spent £28,000 on Rolex'
A builder accused of fraud amounting to more than £2m spent £28,650 on a Rolex watch while being chased for payment by suppliers, a court has heard. Mark Killick, 56, is charged with 46 counts of fraud across the West country between December 2019 and November 2021 – all of which he denies – relating to unfinished renovations. Mr Killick – who is also known as Marc Cole – bought several luxury watches and stayed multiple times at the luxury Celtic Manor resort in Newport, Wales, jurors at Bristol Crown Court were told. The builder, of Paulton in Somerset, had told police he had always intended to complete the work, and that he had bought the watches so they could be pawned to help cashflow. A number of different luxury watches were repeatedly pawned and redeemed over the course of 2020 and 2021 by Mr Killick, the court heard. He told police that some of his trips to the Celtic Manor with his wife were personal but that others were business trips, paid for by his company. The jury was also told about his previous record in court – namely, a bankruptcy order made against him in 2006, and three instances in which he had pleaded guilty to fraud offences. Jurors were also told he had been in prison before. Over Monday afternoon, the court heard from a number of trade suppliers who said Mr Killick owed them money. One timber merchant said he was owed £11,000 by the time Mr Killick's account was closed in 2021, while a kitchen supplier said the builder owed them £2,000. A worktop supplier said he was owed in excess of another £2,000. The trial continues. Follow BBC Bristol on Facebook, X and Instagram. Send your story ideas to us on email or via WhatsApp on 0800 313 4630. More on this story Builder turned home into 'junkyard', jury told Builder stole 'equivalent of lottery win', jury told Related internet links HM Courts and Tribunals Service
BBC News
5 days ago
- BBC News
Trial date set for man, 62, who 'killed mother' in Westonzoyland
A man accused of murdering his mother has been remanded into custody and will face trial in Breed, 62, is charged with killing 87-year-old Brenda Breed on Tuesday pronounced the pensioner dead in Monmouth Close, Westonzoyland, near Breed, of no fixed address, was excused from attending the brief hearing at Bristol Crown Court earlier. Judge Peter Blair KC, the Honorary Recorder of Bristol, said the trial would begin on 5 January and last up to six days.A plea and trial preparation hearing is due to take place on 29 Breed's relatives said she was "a remarkable and much-loved woman".In a statement, they said there were "no words to describe the pain and devastation which has rippled through our family, friends and the community".
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Yahoo
Father found guilty of murdering premature baby son in hospital
A father has been found guilty of murdering his two-week-old son in a special care baby unit. Daniel Gunter, 27, inflicted 'catastrophic injuries' to the head, neck, legs and jaw of Brendon Staddon. Brendon was found in his cot at Yeovil District Hospital in Somerset on March 5 last year. Bristol Crown Court heard that after inflicting the fatal injuries which left his son's head 'crushed', Gunter walked out of the hospital for a cigarette, leaving nurses desperately attempting to resuscitate him. Gunter was convicted of murder following a three-week trial. His former partner, Sophie Staddon, 23, was cleared of causing or allowing the death of a child. ADVERTISEMENT A female juror was visibly upset as the foreman returned the verdicts and as she wiped tears away, she was comforted by two fellow jury members. Daniel Gunter will be sentenced on a later date for murdering his baby son Brendon (Avon and Somerset Police/PA) The jury previously found Staddon not guilty of murder and cleared Gunter of causing or allowing the death of a child on the direction of the trial judge, Mr Justice Swift. The defendants showed no emotion as the verdicts were returned. Gunter, of no fixed address, will be sentenced on a date to be fixed. Remanding Gunter into custody, the judge told him: 'Daniel Gunter you have been found guilty of murder. You will be remanded into custody pending the sentencing hearing. 'Sophie Staddon you have been acquitted by the jury. Your bail will no longer be necessary and you are free to go.' The trial heard hospital staff had discovered Brendon's injuries after Staddon told nurses her son was cold and asked them to check on him. ADVERTISEMENT Charles Row KC, prosecuting, said: 'Staff found him lying in his cot with his baby grow open. 'They immediately saw that he wasn't just cold but that he had suffered catastrophic injuries. 'In plain language, his head had been crushed so as to shatter his skull. He was badly bruised from head to toe, with deep scratches in his neck. 'He was later found to have, amongst other injuries, a broken neck, a broken jaw, broken legs, broken ankles and broken wrists.' The prosecution said staff carried his 'limp, lifeless body' to the resuscitation area, but Brendon did not respond to treatment. The jury heard Gunter and Staddon were arrested by the police while smoking Row said before Brendon died, social services and Gunter's family were worried about the 'lack of emotional warmth' the couple showed their child. ADVERTISEMENT When Brendon was born on February 20 2024, attempts were made to persuade Staddon to stay in the hospital, but she went back to the temporary accommodation she shared with Gunter. While in hospital, Gunter repeatedly ignored the advice of nurses, taking Brendon out of the incubator without asking, overstimulating the child to the point of causing him distress, and removing his nasal gastric tube. Family members had witnessed Gunter shouting and getting angry at Brendon while visiting them in hospital and would handle him roughly. Louise Besica, Gunter's aunt, said: 'I felt like he had no patience. He was really rough with him with how he was putting him in his baby grow.' Mr Row said the jury needed to understand the 'sheer brutality' involved in the death. A post-mortem examination found Brendon died of 'blunt force impact(s) head injury' with multiple non-accidental injuries to the head. ADVERTISEMENT The court also heard the pair had an 'on, off' relationship, with Gunter described as being 'violent' towards his partner, controlling her finances and who she could talk to. A social worker visited the couple in January 2024, telling them the authorities were planning to remove the baby from their care when he was born. 'The authorities were concerned about many things, including their precarious housing situation, the way Mr Gunter appeared to control Ms Staddon and her finances, Ms Staddon's physical and mental health and their lack of engagement,' Mr Row said. He told the jury the couple showed no emotion at the news. Gunter told officers: 'At no stage did I do anything to Brendon that could have caused him any injury. 'I was with Sophie the whole time and she didn't do anything either.' In a separate statement, Gunter said: 'I would never hurt my baby boy.' Staddon told police: 'I had done nothing to harm Brendon at all. I love him. He was my everything. I would not have harmed him.' Gunter was found guilty at Bristol Crown Court (Alamy/PA) Following the verdict, Brendon's grandfather Simon Gunter said: '[Brendon] was born early and was so tiny, but so beautiful. He was just perfect. Despite his early arrival, he was a little fighter and proved his strength in the very short life he had. 'As a family, we were so happy and excited. We had bought clothes, toys and supplies in preparation for his arrival and we all had exciting plans for the future. 'But we have been robbed of a life of memories of Brendon. We won't get to see his first steps, hear his first words, take him on his first holiday, and see him grow into a young boy then a man. We will never have those memories. They have been taken from us and he will never be replaced. 'I hope Daniel gets what he deserves for what he did to Brendon but, whatever the outcome, it will never bring him back. 'Today some justice has been served, but we still have many unanswered questions.' Detective Chief Inspector Nadine Partridge, who led the investigation, said: 'The injuries that Brendon sustained were catastrophic and there wasn't a part of his body which wasn't bruised or broken. 'It breaks my heart to see someone do such vicious things to a poor, innocent child who had his whole life ahead of him. 'Brendon was failed in life. In death, justice is the only protection we can still offer him. 'Cases where both the victim and the defendant are related in some way are among the most challenging for us as police. I would like to firstly give my condolences to Brendon's grandparents and their wider family, who we have supported through specialist family liaison officers. 'This investigation has been long and complex, with the involvement of officers from several different departments and professionals from outside agencies. 'I would like to recognise the efforts of everyone involved in this case, it has been a true team effort to bring the case before the courts and I am immensely proud of each and every person involved in this investigation.'
The Independent
6 days ago
- The Independent
Father found guilty of murdering premature baby son in hospital
A father has been found guilty of murdering his two-week-old son in a neonatal ward. Daniel Gunter, 27, inflicted 'catastrophic injuries' to the head, neck, legs and jaw of Brendon Staddon. Brendon was found in his cot at Yeovil District Hospital in Somerset on 5 March 2024. Bristol Crown Court heard that after inflicting the fatal injuries which left his son's head 'crushed', Gunter walked out of the hospital for a cigarette, leaving nurses desperately attempting to resuscitate the baby. Gunter was convicted of murder following a three-week trial. His former partner, Sophie Staddon, 23, was cleared of causing or allowing the death of a child. A female juror was visibly upset as the foreman returned the verdicts, and as she wiped tears away, she was comforted by two fellow jury members. The jury previously found Staddon not guilty of murder and cleared Gunter of causing or allowing the death of a child on the direction of the trial judge, Mr Justice Swift. The defendants showed no emotion as the verdicts were returned. Gunter, of no fixed address, will be sentenced on a date to be fixed. He was remanded into custody. The trial heard hospital staff had discovered Brendon's injuries after Staddon told nurses her son was cold and asked them to check on him. Charles Row KC, prosecuting, said: 'Staff found him lying in his cot with his baby grow open. 'They immediately saw that he wasn't just cold but that he had suffered catastrophic injuries. 'In plain language, his head had been crushed so as to shatter his skull. He was badly bruised from head to toe, with deep scratches in his neck. 'He was later found to have, amongst other injuries, a broken neck, a broken jaw, broken legs, broken ankles and broken wrists.' The prosecution said staff carried his 'limp, lifeless body' to the resuscitation area, but Brendon did not respond to treatment. The jury heard Gunter and Staddon were arrested by the police while smoking outside. Mr Row said that before Brendon died, social services and Gunter's family were worried about the 'lack of emotional warmth' the couple showed their child. When Brendon was born on 20 February 2024, attempts were made to persuade Staddon to stay in the hospital, but she went back to the temporary accommodation she shared with Gunter. While in hospital, Gunter repeatedly ignored the advice of nurses, taking Brendon out of the incubator without asking, overstimulating the child to the point of causing him distress and removing his nasal gastric tube. Family members had witnessed Gunter shouting and getting angry at Brendon while visiting them in hospital and would handle him roughly. Louise Besica, Gunter's aunt, said: 'I felt like he had no patience. He was really rough with him with how he was putting him in his babygrow.' Mr Row said the jury needed to understand the 'sheer brutality' involved in the death. A post-mortem examination found Brendon died of 'blunt force impact(s) head injury' with multiple non-accidental injuries to the head. The court also heard the pair had an 'on, off' relationship, with Gunter described as being 'violent' towards his partner, controlling her finances and who she could talk to. A social worker visited the couple in January 2024, telling them that the authorities were planning to remove the baby from their care when he was born. 'The authorities were concerned about many things, including their precarious housing situation, the way Mr Gunter appeared to control Ms Staddon and her finances, Ms Staddon's physical and mental health and their lack of engagement,' Mr Row said. He told the jury that the couple showed no emotion at the news. Gunter told officers: 'At no stage did I do anything to Brendon that could have caused him any injury. 'I was with Sophie the whole time and she didn't do anything either.' In a separate statement, Gunter said: 'I would never hurt my baby boy.' Staddon told police: 'I had done nothing to harm Brendon at all. I love him. He was my everything. I would not have harmed him.'
Daily Mail
6 days ago
- Daily Mail
Father, 27, guilty of murdering two-week-old son while newborn was in hospital
A father has been found guilty of murdering his two-week-old son in a special care baby unit. Daniel Gunter, 27, inflicted 'catastrophic injuries' to the head, neck, legs and jaw of Brendon Staddon. Brendon was found in his cot at Yeovil District Hospital in Somerset on March 5 last year. Bristol Crown Court heard that after inflicting the fatal injuries which left his son's head 'crushed', Gunter walked out of the hospital for a cigarette, leaving nurses desperately attempting to resuscitate him. Gunter was convicted of murder following a three-week trial. His former partner Sophie Staddon, 23, was cleared of causing or allowing the death of a child. A female juror was visibly upset as the foreman returned the verdicts and as she wiped tears away, she was comforted by two fellow jury members. The jury previously found Staddon not guilty of murder and cleared Gunter of causing or allowing the death of a child on the direction of the trial judge, Mr Justice Swift. The defendants showed no emotion as the verdicts were returned. Gunter, of no fixed address, will be sentenced on a date to be fixed. Remanding Gunter into custody, the judge told him: 'Daniel Gunter, you have been found guilty of murder. 'You will be remanded into custody pending the sentencing hearing. 'Sophie Staddon, you have been acquitted by the jury. 'Your bail will no longer be necessary and you are free to go.' The trial heard hospital staff had discovered Brendon's injuries after Staddon told nurses her son was cold and asked them to check on him. Charles Row KC, prosecuting, said: 'Staff found him lying in his cot with his baby grow open. 'They immediately saw that he wasn't just cold but that he had suffered catastrophic injuries. 'In plain language, his head had been crushed so as to shatter his skull. He was badly bruised from head to toe, with deep scratches in his neck. 'He was later found to have, amongst other injuries, a broken neck, a broken jaw, broken legs, broken ankles and broken wrists.' The prosecution said staff carried his 'limp, lifeless body' to the resuscitation area, but Brendon did not respond to treatment. The jury heard Gunter and Staddon were arrested by the police while smoking outside. Mr Row said that before Brendon died, social services and Gunter's family were worried about the 'lack of emotional warmth' the couple showed their child. When Brendon was born on February 20 2024, attempts were made to persuade Staddon to stay in the hospital, but she went back to the temporary accommodation she shared with Gunter. While in hospital, Gunter repeatedly ignored the advice of nurses, taking Brendon out of the incubator without asking, overstimulating the child to the point of causing him distress and removing his nasal gastric tube. Family members had witnessed Gunter shouting and getting angry at Brendon while visiting them in hospital and would handle him roughly. Louise Besica, Gunter's aunt, said: 'I felt like he had no patience. He was really rough with him with how he was putting him in his babygrow.' Mr Row said the jury needed to understand the 'sheer brutality' involved in the death. A post-mortem examination found Brendon died of 'blunt force impact(s) head injury' with multiple non-accidental injuries to the head. The court also heard the pair had an 'on, off' relationship, with Gunter described as being 'violent' towards his partner, controlling her finances and who she could talk to. A social worker visited the couple in January 2024, telling them that the authorities were planning to remove the baby from their care when he was born. Mr Row said: 'The authorities were concerned about many things, including their precarious housing situation, the way Mr Gunter appeared to control Ms Staddon and her finances, Ms Staddon's physical and mental health and their lack of engagement.' He told the jury the couple showed no emotion at the news. Gunter told officers: 'At no stage did I do anything to Brendon that could have caused him any injury. 'I was with Sophie the whole time and she didn't do anything either.' In a separate statement, Gunter said: 'I would never hurt my baby boy.' Staddon told police: 'I had done nothing to harm Brendon at all. I love him. He was my everything. I would not have harmed him.'
