Drinker found guilty of his grandfather's ‘senseless and brutal' manslaughter
Walpole, of School Road, Bulkington, Warwickshire, will be sentenced next Monday.
A custody image of Jakob Walpole released after he was found guilty of manslaughter (Warwickshire Police/PA)
A three-week trial was told that security cameras in the victim's bungalow provided important evidence of the defendant's responsibility for the killing.
Opening the Crown's case on July 9, prosecutor Michael Duck KC told jurors Walpole had been 'drinking throughout the day' and committed two assaults at Bulkington Working Men's Club around an hour after attacking his grandfather on the night of November 23 last year.
Mr Duck told jurors: 'John Brown is Jakob Walpole's grandfather.
'He was a frail man and he had recently been diagnosed with the early stages of dementia.
'He was plainly a vulnerable individual and the evidence will demonstrate that this defendant was acutely aware of that.'
Mr Brown was well known in the local community, having run a successful car panel and body repair business due to his expertise in respect of vintage cars, the court heard.
Walpole had engaged in a 'very significant day of drinking', having bought a small bottle of vodka from a shop in Bulkington at about 9am, before attending a match at Coventry City's home stadium in the afternoon, the court heard.
After attacking his relative, he went on to smash a glass over the back of a working men's club customer's head in an incident caught on the 'clearest possible' CCTV footage.
Walpole then made 'physical and direct contact' with a bar worker as he was physically removed from the club.
The court heard relatives had expressed concern about Walpole's 'deteriorating' behaviour since the Covid pandemic, leading to Mr Brown's daughter installing security cameras at her parents' home in St James Gardens, Bulkington.
Jurors were asked to evaluate whether or not Walpole intended really serious harm in considering the murder charge, after watching CCTV images of Mr Brown making a 'haunting' video gesturing towards the camera for help before the attack.
Mr Duck said the jury 'may think it was a gesture of desire for assistance'.
The prosecutor said at the beginning of the trial: 'The reality is that on the 23rd of November, in drink, Jakob Walpole descended to a tirade of violence.'
Commenting after the case, Natalie Kelly, from the Crown Prosecution Service, said: 'Jakob Walpole carried out a senseless and brutal attack on his own grandfather who had tried to help him.
'He showed no concern or remorse following the attack. Rather than call for help, he callously left his vulnerable and elderly grandfather severely injured and went to a local pub where he assaulted two further elderly victims.
'Everyone who knew Mr Brown saw how much he did for his grandson, often going out of his way to care and support him – but Walpole simply took advantage of his kindness.
'We were able to prove this case using comprehensive evidence including CCTV footage, mobile phone evidence and messages which clearly demonstrated Walpole's violent intentions and actions.
'While this conviction ensures Walpole is held accountable for his actions, the family have been left with a deep and lasting pain that no justice can erase.'
Detective Inspector Gareth Unett, who led the investigation for Warwickshire Police, said: 'John Brown was a kind, gentle, hardworking man whose loss has left a huge void in the lives of his loved ones and friends.
'Not only was he loved greatly by all those around him, he was known internationally as one of the best restorers of classic Jaguars.
'The legacy he leaves is not only in the love and generosity he showed to those around him, but also in the countless classic cars that will survive for generations more thanks to his work.
'Walpole's attack on his grandfather, who had shown him nothing but kindness and generosity, was an act of cowardice and brutality that, in decades of policing, I struggle to find a comparison for.
'His later attack in the working men's club only serves as further confirmation that Walpole is a danger to decent, peaceful, law-abiding people.
'Our thoughts remain with Mr Brown's family, in what is a terribly sad case. They have shown dignity and respect in the most challenging of circumstances.'
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Glasgow Times
8 hours ago
- Glasgow Times
Notting Hill Carnival zombie knife attacker jailed for 18 years
Rumarni Tuitt, 19, used a 12-inch knife to slice open the stomach of 18-year-old Kamani Spooner on August 26 last year. Tuitt was caught carrying a Rambo knife which he swung out at Notting Hill Carnival the year before, although no-one was injured, the Old Bailey heard. He was serving a community order for that offence when he attacked Mr Spooner in front of a crowd of revellers. The defendant, from Walthamstow, east London, was found guilty of attempted murder having admitted possession of a knife. Jailing him for 18 years on Friday, Judge Judy Khan KC said: 'It is not the first time you have travelled to the carnival armed with a fearsome weapon. 'On this occasion, you used it to devastating effect. It is fortunate Mr Spooner escaped with his life. 'There can be no excuse for committing an offence of this gravity.' The attack was in front of a 'substantial number' of people and lunging out with a knife in a crowded public place put others at risk of being injured, she said. Previously, prosecutor Mark Paltenghi had said the two young men did not know each other before their paths crossed in Canal Way, west London, just before 8pm. During the attack, Tuitt had 'sliced open Mr Spooner's stomach with a 12-inch zombie knife' and then stabbed him four more times in the side and back and cut his right forearm. The knife used by Rumarni Tuitt in the attack (Met Police/PA) Mr Spooner told police he spent much of the day at the carnival drinking with his friends. Towards the end of the day, a fight broke out around him with three people close by throwing punches, according to his account. Mr Paltenghi had said: 'He then recalls being hit in the back and upon looking at his arm, saw it had been cut, then looked down and saw that his intestines were hanging out. 'He put his hand over them and just ran. 'He cannot cast any light on why it was he would have been attacked.' Tuitt claimed that he was acting in self defence and jurors were told there was no evidence he harboured a grievance against Mr Spooner. In mitigation, Sheryl Nwosu said the defendant's young age, immaturity and neurodivergeance had affected his actions. He had displayed 'impulsive and reckless' decision making by choosing to attend Notting Hill Carnival armed with a weapon out of a 'perceived need for self protection', Ms Nwosu said. As Tuitt was being sentenced at the Old Bailey on Friday, a woman in the public gallery broke down in tears.
BBC News
9 hours ago
- BBC News
Warwickshire Police sergeant arrested on suspicion of rape
A sergeant with Warwickshire Police has been arrested on suspicion of officer was arrested on 22 July after an investigation was launched following a report of the incident two days earlier. The sergeant has been released on bail with conditions and moved to a non-public facing role, the force said."As a force, we expect the highest standards from all our officers, staff and volunteers and where there are concerns or allegations these aren't being met, our professional standards department will investigate thoroughly," a spokesperson said. Follow BBC Coventry & Warwickshire on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.
South Wales Argus
10 hours ago
- South Wales Argus
Notting Hill Carnival zombie knife attacker jailed for 18 years
Rumarni Tuitt, 19, used a 12-inch knife to slice open the stomach of 18-year-old Kamani Spooner on August 26 last year. Tuitt was caught carrying a Rambo knife which he swung out at Notting Hill Carnival the year before, although no-one was injured, the Old Bailey heard. He was serving a community order for that offence when he attacked Mr Spooner in front of a crowd of revellers. The defendant, from Walthamstow, east London, was found guilty of attempted murder having admitted possession of a knife. Jailing him for 18 years on Friday, Judge Judy Khan KC said: 'It is not the first time you have travelled to the carnival armed with a fearsome weapon. 'On this occasion, you used it to devastating effect. It is fortunate Mr Spooner escaped with his life. 'There can be no excuse for committing an offence of this gravity.' The attack was in front of a 'substantial number' of people and lunging out with a knife in a crowded public place put others at risk of being injured, she said. Previously, prosecutor Mark Paltenghi had said the two young men did not know each other before their paths crossed in Canal Way, west London, just before 8pm. During the attack, Tuitt had 'sliced open Mr Spooner's stomach with a 12-inch zombie knife' and then stabbed him four more times in the side and back and cut his right forearm. The knife used by Rumarni Tuitt in the attack (Met Police/PA) Mr Spooner told police he spent much of the day at the carnival drinking with his friends. Towards the end of the day, a fight broke out around him with three people close by throwing punches, according to his account. Mr Paltenghi had said: 'He then recalls being hit in the back and upon looking at his arm, saw it had been cut, then looked down and saw that his intestines were hanging out. 'He put his hand over them and just ran. 'He cannot cast any light on why it was he would have been attacked.' Tuitt claimed that he was acting in self defence and jurors were told there was no evidence he harboured a grievance against Mr Spooner. In mitigation, Sheryl Nwosu said the defendant's young age, immaturity and neurodivergeance had affected his actions. He had displayed 'impulsive and reckless' decision making by choosing to attend Notting Hill Carnival armed with a weapon out of a 'perceived need for self protection', Ms Nwosu said. As Tuitt was being sentenced at the Old Bailey on Friday, a woman in the public gallery broke down in tears.
