Killers of young dad murdered in horrific street attack handed life sentences
Two men who murdered a young dad in a horrifying street attack have been jailed for life.
Robert Keavey and Philip Picken will serve a minimum of 18 years behind bars before they are considered for release following the murder of Greg Kelly.
The 26-year-old was run over twice in a car driven by Keavey and then attacked as he lay dying in the street by Picken.
Mr Kelly’s skull was fractured in the sickening attack in Manor Road, Mancetter, in March last year which saw him struck over the head with an axe or a hammer by Picken.
Mr Kelly, from New Arley, died in hospital a few days later.
Keavey, 38, of Princess Road, Atherstone, and Picken, 56, of Manor Road, Mancetter, had both denied murder, but were found guilty following an 11-week trial at Warwick Crown Court.
They were handed their life sentences today at the same court.
Two other men - Andrew Gay, 40, of Manor Road, Atherstone, and Nicholas Casey, 57, of Victoria Road, Tamworth – were also sentenced.
Gay was found guilty of perverting the course of justice by helping to dispose of evidence following the trial and jailed for four years.
Meanwhile Casey, who pleaded guilty before the trial to perverting the course of justice by concealing evidence, was sentenced to 27 months in jail.
David Parsons, senior crown prosecutor for West Midlands, said: "What began as a disagreement over some missing money soon escalated and resulted in the callous and brutal murder of Gregory Kelly.
“The defendants denied playing any part in the murder or the attempt to destroy key evidence, however they were seen by a number of local people, and using this as well as CCTV footage and data from the defendants’ phones, the prosecution team were able to prove their guilt.
“The men will now have to deal with the consequences of their actions.
“Our thoughts are today with the family and friends of Mr Kelly.”
