Two men who bludgeoned their neighbour to death with a hammer amid a row over rubbish have been found guilty of murder.
Franklin Ingram – who was better known as Frank – was savagely beaten to death by Martin Carty and Mark Sothcott, both 56, at Carty’s flat in June in Yeovil, Somerset.
The pair attacked the 68-year-old during a fight, which saw Ingram headbutted and attacked with a hammer.
The jury at Bristol Crown Court were told that on June 22, Ingram and Carty had an exchange of words over rubbish left near the 68-year-old’s flat.
Franklin Ingram was beaten to death by Martin Carty (L) and Mark Sothcott (R)
Avon and Somerset Police
CCTV footage played to the court then showed Ingram telling a neighbour that Carty was an “idiot” and that he planned to contact the housing association.
Later that day, shortly before 11pm, an “angry” Ingram went up to Carty’s flat – with both Carty and Sothcott inside.
The three then became involved in a row which then turned physical, with Ingram sustaining injuries to his face, head, torso, arms and legs.
The two men did not immediately call emergency services, only doing so 18 hours after the altercation.
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When Carty did call 999, he said that he found the 68-year-old deceased on his sofa.
The phone operator asked Carty to put Ingram in the recovery position, though he refused to do so.
Paramedics soon arrived at the scene and noticed that some of the wounds were not consistent with the story Carty had told them. He was arrested that same day.
Meanwhile, Sothcott, who was flagged to the police by members of the public who overheard him talking whilst leaving Carty’s property, was arrested the following day.
Following a three-week trial at Bristol Crown Court, the jury unanimously found both men guilty of murder
Getty
Following a three-week trial, the jury unanimously found both men guilty of murder.
Senior investigating officer, Det Ch Inps Mark Almond, said: “The medical evidence clearly demonstrated that a serious and sustained violent attack was carried out against Frank Ingram. The severity of the injuries caused shows the true intent of their actions.
“They both knew they had at least seriously injured him, and most likely killed him, and the fact neither of them called the emergency services for more than 18 hours is truly horrendous.”
“While we welcome these verdicts and hope the family take comfort in the truth being put before the courts, we recognise this cannot erase the pain they continue to experience after such a devastating loss.”
They will be sentenced at the same court next year, with the date yet to be confirmed.
