Blaine Hammond murder: Life sentences for killers of Sunderland man

Louis Whelan and Anthony Keating, both now 23, must serve a minimum term of 14 years behind bars before they can be considered for possible release by the Parole Board, but they may each have to serve much longer.

Newcastle Crown Court heard how the heavily intoxicated duo suddenly turned on Blaine Hammond, accusing him of trying to steal a £20 note from the mantelpiece in Whelan’s flat.

They had previously spent almost two hours with their victim at the flat, sharing drugs, before the sudden outburst of violence.

Read more: Blaine Hammond murder: Louis Whelan and Anthony Keating found guilty

Whelan and Keating then went on to carry out the “sustained”, ultimately fatal assault on 22-year-old Mr Hammond, which included multiple punches, kicks and stamps.

Newcastle Crown Court heard the pair’s un-pre-meditated attack began in Whelan’s upstairs flat at the time, before their victim was pushed down external stairs to lie unconscious in the garden.

Blaine Hammond. Picture: NORTHUMBRIA POLICE (Image: NORTHUMBRIA POLICE)

Having tried, unsuccessfully, in messages, to persuade other people to call for an ambulance, Whelan then dragged the badly injured victim, who remained unconscious, but while still alive at that point, down a muddy path and abandoned him in a disused telecommunications hut across the street.

It was only later in the morning that he did call for an ambulance, without giving his name, pinpointing the location of the telecommunications box, near allotments on the Springwell Estate, in Sunderland.

Emergency services subsequently attending at the scene, in Saltburn Road, by which time Whelan had left his home and gone to the city centre.

Mr Hammond was found in the green utility box and despite the efforts of doctors and paramedics attending the scene, his life could not be saved.

His death was later confirmed as having been caused by damage to his brain, due to repeated kicks and stamps.

Whelan was arrested on his return to his flat later that morning, while Keating, who fled the scene earlier on his moped, was arrested two days later, in Billingham.

A police investigation, featuring extensive CCTV, house-to-house and forensic inquiries, led detectives to later charge the accused pair with the murder.

During a four-week trial at Newcastle Crown Court, in October and November, last year, the jury heard how the victim was savagely beaten at Mr Whelan’s address at the time, before effectively, being, “left for dead” on the freezing cold morning.

The trial jury was told he suffered about 13 blows to his head and was left with “devastating” injuries, said to have been inflicted by both defendants.

Whelan, now of Towcester, in Northamptonshire, and Keating, of Palmerston Road, Pennywell, Sunderland, both denied murder.

Read more: Two men in court charged with Sunderland murder

Following the jury’s guilty verdicts, on November 14, trial judge, Mr Justice Stephen Morris, remanded both in custody and told them they would be facing life sentences, but with consideration to be given as to the minimum terms they must serve.

Today’s (Wednesday January 25) sentencing hearing was told Whelan’s 14 convictions for 21 offences include nothing for previously for violence.

Keating’s four convictions for nine offences include a suspended prison sentence in September 2020 for possessing a bladed article and cannabis possession.

Peter Glenser KC, prosecuting, told the hearing the Crown’s view was that the sentence should have a starting point of 15 years, with aggravating and mitigating factors in the case then to be considered.

He said these included the, “vulnerability” of the victim, due to intoxication, and the fact that some of the blows were inflicted after he lost consciousness.

Mr Glenser said by placing him in the telecommunications box Whelan would have been aware there was a risk of hypothermia, given the cold conditions.

He added, however, that the Crown did not consider it a “pre-meditated” attack, but more, “spur of the moment, over a £20 note.”

Read next:

               Two men charged with murder following death of man in Sunderland

               Trial starts of Sunderland pair accused of murder of Kieran Williams

               Alleged Sunderland murder victim's burial site was 'clandestine grave'

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In passing sentence, Mr Justice Morris told the defendants: “This was a persistent and drug-induced attack by the two of you leading to the senseless death of a young man with his whole life ahead of him, which has caused enduring misery to others.”

The 14-year minimum terms both must spend locked up will be reduced by the 259 days they have each spent in custody, prior to sentence.

Addressing the defendants, the judge stressed that it would be up to the Parole Board as to how long both actually spend behind bars beyond the minimum 14 years.