Man found guilty of battering disabled man to death

Keith Jones, 33, battered MS-sufferer and father-of-two Robert Carter, 63, to death with a table leg.

Jones was found guilty of murder at Teesside Crown Court and must serve at least 13-and-a-half years before he can be considered for release.

The killer has an anti-social personality disorder and had been classified

as potentially dangerous by police officers, social workers and the probation service two years before the murder.

Jones, of no fixed abode, battered wheelchair-bound Jack Carter to death in Mr Carter's own home in the leafy village of New Marske, near Redcar on January 4.

Mr Carter had let Jones into his home as a potential lodger on that day after speaking to Jones' mother, Thelma. Thelma Jones, who believed her son to be free of drink and drugs, had been an occasional care worker for Mr Carter.

They argued after Jones, who had been drinking since breakfast when he had two Pernod and blackcurrent drinks, interrupted Mr Carter's telephone conversation with an elderly relative.

Jones, who had already consumed two bottles of sherry that day, badly beat up the disabled man and dragged him into a toilet. There he battered Mr Carter to death with a table leg.

Forensic officers said that it appeared that Mr Carter, who had a fractured skull and whose facial bones were dislocated, had tried to get out of his wheelchair in an attempt to fight back or escape.

Jones, a father-of-five, then went out to The Royal pub in Redcar in a blood-splattered T-shirt. He went on to invite three people back to the home on Sandmoor Road where Mr Carter's body lay dead. All refused.

The next day a care worker couldn't get into the home and called Mr Carter's son, Jonathan. Jonathan found his father's dead body. Jones was sleeping upstairs.

Public protection agencies had classified Jones as dangerous as a result of a catalogue of violent offences dating back to 1986. However he did not receive the highest 'very dangerous' rating.

Jones was found guilty of murder on an 11-to-one majority verdict. He had already pleaded guilty to manslaughter on the grounds of diminished responsibility.

Tim Collins QC, defending, had argued that his mental state meant he should not be convicted of murder. Mr Justice Holland, sentencing, described the attack as horrifying. He said: "You drank all his (Mr Carter's) alcohol, you behaved impertinently and you picked a quarrel with him. On the basis of that quarrel and based on the drink you had you attacked him repeatedly, brutally and, most devastatingly of all, pointlessly. It was breathtakingly callous."

Speaking outside the court Jonathan Carter, who is in his early 30s, read out a statement on behalf of his family. He was surrounded by his mother, Joan who had been separated from Jack Carter for a number of years and his partner, Rachel. Mr Carter's daughter, was too distressed to attend court.

He said: "The family wishes to thank all the police officers involved in this case their help and support at this difficult time.

"I would like to say a few words about my father. He suffered for 30 years as a Multiple Sclerosis which rendered him almost helpless. Despite this disability our father showed great courage and was a kind, caring human being who did not deserve to meet such a brutal end.

"This verdict today is no consolation to our family for the brutal death and loss of our father. Given the events leading up to his murder it is evident that Keith Jones is not the only with blood on his hands. We will be taking civil proceedings."

Jonathan Carter and his family declined to talk further. However it is thought that the civil action will be against social services for not categorising Jones as being a greater danger to the public. At a public protection forum meeting in April 2003 between police, probation workers and social workers Jones was described as a man who used weapons and was anti-authority, negative and intolerant.

It was disclosed in court that the agency workers agreed that Jones posed "a risk of serious harm, whereby potential event could happen at any time and the outcome could be serious."

The court heard that a probation report, presented to the public protection forum meeting, also in April 2003, identified Jones as a high risk to public safety.

Jones had 33 convictions covering 128 offences, 12 for offences against the person. He had armed himself with a knife and fork when arrested by police in September 2001 on suspicion of taking a car without consent. He had to be controlled with CS spray.

The court heard that police records at the time said: "Officers who have not dealt with Jones before should never be complacent with him as he is extremely volatile and unpredictable."

Another public protection meeting in February 2004 said Jones was regarded as a 'high risk' and potentially dangerous. Detective inspector Colin Galloway, a policeman of 28 years who investigated the case, described Jones as a "very, very dangerous man." He said: "Our thoughts and prayers are with the family of Jack Carter. This was the most horrific and brutal attack I've ever witnessed."