Latest news with #LeslieGunfield
The Independent
09-07-2025
- The Independent
Jurors start deliberations in trial of man accused of murdering dog walker
Jurors have been sent out to begin considering their verdict in the trial of a man accused of the murder of a grandmother who had been out walking her dog. Roy Barclay, 56, denies the murder of 57-year-old Anita Rose in what prosecutors called a 'vicious and brutal attack' in which she was subjected to 'numerous kicks, stamps and blows'. Christopher Paxton KC, prosecuting, earlier told Ipswich Crown Court that mother-of-six Ms Rose left her home in Brantham, Suffolk, to walk her dog Bruce on the morning of July 24 last year. She was found by passers-by but died in hospital four days later. He said Barclay, of no fixed address, 'lived mostly in the countryside, wandering the fields and lanes, sleeping in various makeshift camps'. 'He lived off-grid because for two years, Roy Barclay had been unlawfully at large,' said Mr Paxton. 'He had been on the run trying to avoid the police and authorities to try and avoid being recalled back to prison.' Barclay did not give evidence at his trial. Jurors were told that Barclay had previously pleaded guilty, over a separate incident in 2015, to grievous bodily harm with intent over an attack on an 82-year-old man in Walton-on-the-Naze, Essex. The pensioner, Leslie Gunfield, had told Barclay that he would inform security about him going through rubbish bins at a Co-op supermarket, the court heard. Mr Gunfield was left with serious injuries to his head and required 10 titanium plates for fractures he suffered after being attacked by Barclay. He was found with a dog lead wrapped around his foot, which the prosecution said was similar to the way Ms Rose's body was found, with a dog lead 'tightly' wrapped around her leg. Judge Martyn Levett told jurors they should not convict Barclay based wholly or mainly on his previous conviction. As he sent jurors out to start their deliberations on Wednesday, the judge told them: 'You must reach, if you can, a unanimous verdict.'
Yahoo
09-07-2025
- Yahoo
Jurors start deliberations in trial of man accused of murdering dog walker
Jurors have been sent out to begin considering their verdict in the trial of a man accused of the murder of a grandmother who had been out walking her dog. Roy Barclay, 56, denies the murder of 57-year-old Anita Rose in what prosecutors called a 'vicious and brutal attack' in which she was subjected to 'numerous kicks, stamps and blows'. Christopher Paxton KC, prosecuting, earlier told Ipswich Crown Court that mother-of-six Ms Rose left her home in Brantham, Suffolk, to walk her dog Bruce on the morning of July 24 last year. She was found by passers-by but died in hospital four days later. He said Barclay, of no fixed address, 'lived mostly in the countryside, wandering the fields and lanes, sleeping in various makeshift camps'. 'He lived off-grid because for two years, Roy Barclay had been unlawfully at large,' said Mr Paxton. 'He had been on the run trying to avoid the police and authorities to try and avoid being recalled back to prison.' Barclay did not give evidence at his trial. Jurors were told that Barclay had previously pleaded guilty, over a separate incident in 2015, to grievous bodily harm with intent over an attack on an 82-year-old man in Walton-on-the-Naze, Essex. The pensioner, Leslie Gunfield, had told Barclay that he would inform security about him going through rubbish bins at a Co-op supermarket, the court heard. Mr Gunfield was left with serious injuries to his head and required 10 titanium plates for fractures he suffered after being attacked by Barclay. He was found with a dog lead wrapped around his foot, which the prosecution said was similar to the way Ms Rose's body was found, with a dog lead 'tightly' wrapped around her leg. Judge Martyn Levett told jurors they should not convict Barclay based wholly or mainly on his previous conviction. As he sent jurors out to start their deliberations on Wednesday, the judge told them: 'You must reach, if you can, a unanimous verdict.'
Daily Mail
02-07-2025
- Daily Mail
Man accused of murdering mother-of-six dog walker had previously been jailed for attacking a pensioner that left him with TEN titanium plates in his head, court told
A man accused of murdering a dog walker was previously jailed for attacking a pensioner and leaving him with serious facial injuries, a court heard. Roy Barclay, 56, denies murdering mother-of-six Anita Rose, 57, who was found unconscious in Brantham, Suffolk on July 24 last year, and died four days later on July 28. Jurors were told in agreed facts that Barclay had previously pleaded guilty in August 2015 to grievous bodily harm with intent, for attacking pensioner Leslie Gunfield ten years ago, Ipswich Crown Court heard on Wednesday. On February 22 2015, Mr Gunfield, then 82, told Barclay, of no fixed address, that he would inform security about him going through rubbish bins at a Co-op supermarket in Walton-on-the-Naze, Essex. Mr Gunfield was left with serious injuries to his head and required 10 titanium plates for fractures he suffered after being attacked by Barclay, the court heard. He was found with a dog lead wrapped around his foot, which the prosecution said was similar to the way Ms Rose's body was found, with a dog lead 'tightly' wrapped around her leg. Prosecutor Christopher Paxton KC said Mr Gunfield 'ended up with fracture upon fracture to his face', adding that the attack 'totally detached the upper jaw from the rest of the skull'. He told jurors that the conviction 'helps you in so many ways to identify Roy Barclay as Anita's killer'. Mr Paxton added: 'Leslie Gunfield was taken to the ground and attacked on the ground by Roy Barclay, just as Anita Rose was. Leslie Gunfield was struck repeatedly to the head, just as Anita Rose was. 'In his mid-40s, he (Barclay) fractured nearly all of the bones of an 82-year-old's face, having taken him to the ground in 2015. 'Anybody that attacks an 82-year-old man in that way displays a ruthlessness and callousness that defies logic.' His Honour Judge Martyn Levett told jurors that they should not convict Barclay based wholly or mainly on his previous conviction, adding that it was 'additional circumstantial evidence'. Barclay was released from prison for the attack on Mr Gunfield on February 24 2020. Mr Paxton said Barclay was a 'dog lover' who had volunteered at a dog charity while on probation, adding that a dog lead wrapped around a body could 'almost be described as a signature of Roy Barclay'. The prosecutor added: 'This is no coincidence. The wrapping of the dog lead is a further striking similarity that builds with all the evidence to Roy Barclay being the one and only person who attacked Anita Rose.' The prosecutor said Barclay was 'irrational and dangerous' and had been on the run from the police for two years while trying to avoid recall to prison. Giving his closing speech, Mr Paxton said: 'Two very different worlds collided: Anita, partner to Richard, a mother and grandmother, out with the family dog Bruce, before she went off to work. 'Her world collided with Roy Barclay's world, a desperate man on the run from police for two years, having been in prison for beating Leslie Gunfield's face to a pulp. 'Roy Barclay took Anita Rose's life in an explosion of violence. Blow after blow, stamp after stamp and kick after kick. 'Roy Barclay's determination to keep his liberty and save his skin is revealed in the brutality of the injuries he inflicted on Anita Rose. 'Slight and slim Roy Barclay might seem, but his force, his brutality, is revealed in what he did to Leslie Gunfield and Anita Rose.' The prosecutor said jurors had heard evidence that injuries to Anita's brain were similar to those inflicted by 'high speed car crashes'. Barclay opted to give no evidence in his defence on Wednesday. Mr Paxton said Barclay had maintained a 'wall of silence' throughout his trial. The prosecutor added: 'It is his right of course, but it is a choice Roy Barclay has made. 'He made a choice not to say one single word to the jury in his defence from the witness box.' The trial continues.
Yahoo
02-07-2025
- Yahoo
Man accused of dog walker murder was jailed for attack on pensioner
A man accused of murdering a dog walker was previously jailed for attacking a pensioner and leaving him with serious facial injuries and a dog lead wrapped around his foot, a court heard. Roy Barclay, 56, denies murdering mother-of-six Anita Rose, 57, who was found unconscious in Brantham, Suffolk on July 24 last year, and died four days later on July 28. Jurors were told in agreed facts that Barclay had previously pleaded guilty in August 2015 to grievous bodily harm with intent, for attacking pensioner Leslie Gunfield ten years ago, Ipswich Crown Court heard on Wednesday. On February 22 2015, Mr Gunfield, then 82, told Barclay, of no fixed address, that he would inform security about him going through rubbish bins at a Co-op supermarket in Walton-on-the-Naze, Essex. Mr Gunfield was left with serious injuries to his head and required 10 titanium plates for fractures he suffered after being attacked by Barclay, the court heard. He was found with a dog lead wrapped around his foot, which the prosecution said was similar to the way Ms Rose's body was found, with a dog lead 'tightly' wrapped around her leg. Prosecutor Christopher Paxton KC said Mr Gunfield 'ended up with fracture upon fracture to his face', adding that the attack 'totally detached the upper jaw from the rest of the skull'. He told jurors that the conviction 'helps you in so many ways to identify Roy Barclay as Anita's killer'. Mr Paxton added: 'Leslie Gunfield was taken to the ground and attacked on the ground by Roy Barclay, just as Anita Rose was. Leslie Gunfield was struck repeatedly to the head, just as Anita Rose was. 'In his mid-40s, he (Barclay) fractured nearly all of the bones of an 82-year-old's face, having taken him to the ground in 2015. 'Anybody that attacks an 82-year-old man in that way displays a ruthlessness and callousness that defies logic.' His Honour Judge Martyn Levett told jurors that they should not convict Barclay based wholly or mainly on his previous conviction, adding that it was 'additional circumstantial evidence'. Barclay was released from prison for the attack on Mr Gunfield on February 24 2020. Mr Paxton said Barclay was a 'dog lover' who had volunteered at a dog charity while on probation, adding that a dog lead wrapped around a body could 'almost be described as a signature of Roy Barclay'. The prosecutor added: 'This is no coincidence. The wrapping of the dog lead is a further striking similarity that builds with all the evidence to Roy Barclay being the one and only person who attacked Anita Rose.' The prosecutor said Barclay was 'irrational and dangerous' and had been on the run from the police for two years while trying to avoid recall to prison. Giving his closing speech, Mr Paxton said: 'Two very different worlds collided: Anita, partner to Richard, a mother and grandmother, out with the family dog Bruce, before she went off to work. 'Her world collided with Roy Barclay's world, a desperate man on the run from police for two years, having been in prison for beating Leslie Gunfield's face to a pulp. 'Roy Barclay took Anita Rose's life in an explosion of violence. Blow after blow, stamp after stamp and kick after kick. 'Roy Barclay's determination to keep his liberty and save his skin is revealed in the brutality of the injuries he inflicted on Anita Rose. 'Slight and slim Roy Barclay might seem, but his force, his brutality, is revealed in what he did to Leslie Gunfield and Anita Rose.' The prosecutor said jurors had heard evidence that injuries to Anita's brain were similar to those inflicted by 'high speed car crashes'. Barclay opted to give no evidence in his defence on Wednesday. Mr Paxton said Barclay had maintained a 'wall of silence' throughout his trial. The prosecutor added: 'It is his right of course, but it is a choice Roy Barclay has made. 'He made a choice not to say one single word to the jury in his defence from the witness box.' The trial continues. Click below to see the latest East England headlines
The Independent
02-07-2025
- The Independent
Man accused of dog walker murder was jailed for attack on pensioner
A man accused of murdering a dog walker was previously jailed for attacking a pensioner and leaving him with serious facial injuries and a dog lead wrapped around his foot, a court heard. Roy Barclay, 56, denies murdering mother-of-six Anita Rose, 57, who was found unconscious in Brantham, Suffolk on July 24 last year, and died four days later on July 28. Jurors were told in agreed facts that Barclay had previously pleaded guilty in August 2015 to grievous bodily harm with intent, for attacking pensioner Leslie Gunfield ten years ago, Ipswich Crown Court heard on Wednesday. On February 22 2015, Mr Gunfield, then 82, told Barclay, of no fixed address, that he would inform security about him going through rubbish bins at a Co-op supermarket in Walton-on-the-Naze, Essex. Mr Gunfield was left with serious injuries to his head and required 10 titanium plates for fractures he suffered after being attacked by Barclay, the court heard. He was found with a dog lead wrapped around his foot, which the prosecution said was similar to the way Ms Rose's body was found, with a dog lead 'tightly' wrapped around her leg. Prosecutor Christopher Paxton KC said Mr Gunfield 'ended up with fracture upon fracture to his face', adding that the attack 'totally detached the upper jaw from the rest of the skull'. He told jurors that the conviction 'helps you in so many ways to identify Roy Barclay as Anita's killer'. Mr Paxton added: 'Leslie Gunfield was taken to the ground and attacked on the ground by Roy Barclay, just as Anita Rose was. Leslie Gunfield was struck repeatedly to the head, just as Anita Rose was. 'In his mid-40s, he (Barclay) fractured nearly all of the bones of an 82-year-old's face, having taken him to the ground in 2015. 'Anybody that attacks an 82-year-old man in that way displays a ruthlessness and callousness that defies logic.' His Honour Judge Martyn Levett told jurors that they should not convict Barclay based wholly or mainly on his previous conviction, adding that it was 'additional circumstantial evidence'. Barclay was released from prison for the attack on Mr Gunfield on February 24 2020. Mr Paxton said Barclay was a 'dog lover' who had volunteered at a dog charity while on probation, adding that a dog lead wrapped around a body could 'almost be described as a signature of Roy Barclay'. The prosecutor added: 'This is no coincidence. The wrapping of the dog lead is a further striking similarity that builds with all the evidence to Roy Barclay being the one and only person who attacked Anita Rose.' The prosecutor said Barclay was 'irrational and dangerous' and had been on the run from the police for two years while trying to avoid recall to prison. Giving his closing speech, Mr Paxton said: 'Two very different worlds collided: Anita, partner to Richard, a mother and grandmother, out with the family dog Bruce, before she went off to work. 'Her world collided with Roy Barclay's world, a desperate man on the run from police for two years, having been in prison for beating Leslie Gunfield's face to a pulp. 'Roy Barclay took Anita Rose's life in an explosion of violence. Blow after blow, stamp after stamp and kick after kick. 'Roy Barclay's determination to keep his liberty and save his skin is revealed in the brutality of the injuries he inflicted on Anita Rose. 'Slight and slim Roy Barclay might seem, but his force, his brutality, is revealed in what he did to Leslie Gunfield and Anita Rose.' The prosecutor said jurors had heard evidence that injuries to Anita's brain were similar to those inflicted by 'high speed car crashes'. Barclay opted to give no evidence in his defence on Wednesday. Mr Paxton said Barclay had maintained a 'wall of silence' throughout his trial. The prosecutor added: 'It is his right of course, but it is a choice Roy Barclay has made. 'He made a choice not to say one single word to the jury in his defence from the witness box.' The trial continues.
