Latest news with #JoshuaCarroll
BBC News
14-05-2025
- BBC News
Killer jailed for homeless man's stamping murder in Old Trafford park
A killer who was caught on CCTV walking through a puddle to clean his bloodstained shoes after chasing and "ferociously" attacking a homeless man in a public park has been jailed. Joshua Carroll, 30, was found guilty of murdering Headley "Barry" Thomas, 51, after stamping on his head in a park in Old Trafford, Greater Manchester, on 12 September 2022. Mr Thomas, who had been living in a tent in the grassy area known as Penn Park, suffered severe head injuries and died in hospital almost a month later. Carroll, of no fixed address, was sentenced to life in prison, with a minimum of 17 years and 28 days. Manchester Minshull Street Crown Court heard Carroll had been detained under the Mental Health Act at North Manchester General Hospital on 11 September 2022 when he walked out without permission and without taking his medication. He met up with a friend and spent the night drinking and taking drugs. The next morning, Carroll was seen on CCTV footage chasing Mr Thomas, who was riding a bike through the street. Mr Thomas was found unresponsive in Penn Park at about 14:30 BST by a was arrested after being caught on CCTV at about 13:00 that day riding Mr Thomas' bike and stopping to intentionally walk through a Maurice Green said this was "undoubtedly to clean Barry Thomas's blood" from his shoes. The judge said Carroll had murdered Mr Thomas by "kicking or stamping on his head while he was on the ground". He said he had attacked Mr Thomas "with such ferocity that most parts of his brain were injured" and he had used force comparable to "running and kicking a football". The judge said Carrol had chosen not to take his medication and instead took alcohol and drugs leading to Mr Thomas' "senseless death".The court heard Carroll had chased or attacked Mr Thomas on two previous occasions. 'A big heart' In a victim impact statement, read out to the court by prosecutor David Lees, Mr Thomas' sister Nicola Jones described her brother as "funny, brave and talented in more ways than one". She said he had "a big heart" and had spent 10 years caring for his father - whose death had caused him to "lose his way" and spiral into drug addiction. "I was always the protector of Barry. I never knew what I could do to help him," she said. A statement from Mr Thomas' son, who was 12 at the time of his father's death, said: "I still can't process that my dad won't be able to take me out again... we will never be able to do anything together ever again."Richard Littler KC, acting for Carroll, told the court his client was supported by his "loving" family, and that his mum had previously written to the court with concerns about her son's mental health. "They hope that he engages [while he is in prison] and they hope that he complies with those trying to help him," he said. Det Insp Matthew Hamer from Greater Manchester Police said: "Today's sentencing demonstrates our unwavering commitment to pursuing justice for all members of our community, regardless of their circumstances or how much time has passed since the crime."He added: "This case had its challenges, but we remained determined throughout with Barry at the forefront of our minds." Listen to the best of BBC Radio Manchester on Sounds and follow BBC Manchester on Facebook, X, and Instagram. You can also send story ideas via Whatsapp to 0808 100 2230.
Sky News
16-04-2025
- Sky News
Family of man who committed murder after escaping from mental health unit say they were 'failed' by NHS trust
The family of a man who committed murder during an escape from a secure mental health unit have told Sky News they were "failed" by the trust that was meant to be caring for him. Joshua Carroll is currently waiting to be sentenced for the murder of Headley Thomas, known as Barry, after beating him to death in a park in Trafford, Manchester, in September 2022. At the time of the attack, Joshua was in the care of Greater Manchester Mental Health Trust (GMMH). He was being treated as an inpatient at Park House, a unit which has now closed down. Joshua's mum and sister say he escaped from the unit 21 times - and they repeatedly complained to the trust and asked for help. Leanne Carroll, Joshua's sister, told Sky News: "The night it happened, Joshua had come to my house. And it was just a normal 'oh Joshua has escaped from hospital again'. Nothing appeared any different." She says they didn't find out about what had happened until Joshua was arrested weeks later - and "everything fell apart from there". "My heart broke," said Joshua's mum, Julie Carroll. "It's just a horrible, horrible situation." Joshua had been diagnosed with conditions including schizoaffective disorder, and had been in and out of inpatient care for around 15 years, his family said. They showed me more than 20 pages of complaints and responses from GMMH about his repeated escapes, dating back eight years before the murder. After Joshua's fourth escape from Park House, his family asked for him to be moved to another unit, saying they were concerned about security. This didn't happen, with the trust citing capacity issues. His family complained once again about his escapes just five weeks before the murder, in August 2022. "We are very, very angry and disappointed," said Julie. "You think if your child is in hospital, and they are very poorly, that they are going to be looked after - they will be safe and they will be secure. But that wasn't the case for Josh." Although Joshua was convicted of murder, Leanne says his family hold GMMH partly responsible. "If you had done your job properly - none of this would have happened," she said. "Two families wouldn't have been destroyed and so many hearts wouldn't have been broken." Since 2022, GMMH has been served with several Section 29A warning notices by the Care Quality Commission. These are issued when the commission decides a service needs to make significant improvements, and there is a risk of harm. In the case of GMMH, their concerns included "ward security systems not consistently keeping people safe". Dr John Mulligan is a clinical psychologist for GMMH, working in the community for the early intervention in psychosis service, and a representative for the union Unite. He and his colleagues have been going on strike repeatedly across the past seven months, saying they just don't have the staffing levels they need to keep people safe. "Thankfully, violent incidents among our service users are quite rare, they are much more likely to be the victims of violence and aggression," he said. "But serious incidents are happening regularly. Far too regularly. "It's very upsetting for staff and for patients and families." Salli Midgley, chief nurse at the Greater Manchester Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust said: "On behalf of GMMH, we express our heartfelt condolences to Headley Thomas's loved ones at this very sad time. "Our thoughts and sympathies remain with everyone who has been affected by this most devastating incident. We are deeply sorry that it happened while Joshua Carroll was under our care. "Under the trust's new leadership, we have been working closely with NHS England, our commissioners and the CQC to create better, safer and well-led services for all." She continued: "A huge amount of progress has already been made but we know we still have a lot to do to improve our services. "As part of this work, we are currently carrying out an in-depth investigation into the care and treatment provided to Mr Carroll, and the circumstances leading to Mr Thomas' death, the findings of which will be shared with NHS England. "We are unable to comment further on this case whilst the investigation is ongoing." Barry Thomas's family told Sky News mental health is a very serious issue - but they believe Joshua Carroll tried to "play down his actions". They said: "Let's all remember that a life was taken. Our brother, father, and uncle. The evidence the police gathered was in plain sight for all to see. "We, the family, would like to thank all the police involved for the work they have done, in bringing justice for Barry."
