Brentwood: Manslaughter conviction secured following fatal assault

An extensive investigation into the death of a 63-year-old man in Brentwood has seen his killer convicted.

We were called to reports of an assault at an address in Ingrave Road, Brentwood, shortly after 3:30pm on Thursday, 12 September last year.

Francis Reilly was pronounced dead at the scene.

An investigation was led by our Serious Crime Directorate, which resulted in the charge of 39-year-old John Moore.

Moore was charged with murder, but initially claimed self-defence, and a trial took place at Basildon Crown Court.

Following the trial, held in August, a jury failed to reach a verdict.

At the same court on Monday 6 October, Moore admitted manslaughter – a plea which was accepted by all parties.

On the day of the assault, Mr Reilly had visited Moore's address to remonstrate with him over an unpaid debt.

During an ensuing altercation between the pair, Moore beat Mr Reilly with a hammer.

He also threw him against a wall, inflicting injuries which would prove fatal.

Mr Reilly fled the flat, but Moore followed and continued the assault outside.

This was witnessed by a taxi driver, who flagged down two of our patrolling officers.

Mr Reilly sadly died at the scene and Moore was swiftly arrested.

Moore will face sentence on a date to be determined this week.

'Vicious assault'

Detective Inspector Lisa Hurrell, senior investigating officer, said:

“We have continued to support the family of Mr Reilly over the past year.
“He was a father, brother, grandfather and uncle, and all who loved him have felt unimaginable loss.
“Mr Reilly was killed in an utterly senseless act of violence.
“Moore was a drug user who regularly accrued debts with friends and acquaintances to feed his habit.
“When Mr Reilly visited him to remonstrate over an unpaid debt, Moore unleashed a vicious and sustained assault.
“It was clear, based on the evidence we gathered, he quickly overpowered Mr Reilly and intended to do him serious harm.
“Moore has rightly been convicted and I hope this provides some closure for his family and loved ones.”

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Find out more about the code and to understand the rights of a victim of crime, on our support for victims and witnesses of crime page.

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