Girl, 15, becomes third teen arrested on suspicion of murder in Nuneaton

[dutchman]

It is the third arrest today



A girl has been arrested on suspicion of murder following the death of a man in Nuneaton. Warwickshire Police has tonight confirmed that a 15-year-old girl from Nuneaton has been arrested on suspicion of murder.

The girl, who cannot be identified, is the third to be arrested after two boys, also both aged 15, were taken into custody earlier today. All three are being questioned by detectives on suspicion of the murder of a man, who was pronounced dead at an address off Victoria Road this morning, Wednesday April 26.

Investigating officers believe that an altercation which took place in the Snowhill Recreation Ground area at 6.15pm yesterday, Tuesday April 25, may be connected with the 36-year-old's death.

The update comes as detectives have made an urgent appeal to people not to share alleged footage of the park attack.

"We are aware there is footage circulating of the altercation on social media and we would ask people not to share it while we continue our ongoing investigation to work out the circumstances behind this man's death," Detective Inspector Collette O’Keefe said.

"Our thoughts are with the family and friends of the man at this sad time."

DC O'Keefe is continuing to appeal for witnesses to the incident in the park last night to come forward. Any witnesses or those who can help the investigation should call Warwickshire Police on 101, quoting incident 90 of April 26.

[dutchman]

School children bailed in connection with Nuneaton murder investigation

Police have bailed three school children in connection with the alleged murder of a Nuneaton man. Two 15-year-old boys and one 15-year-old girl have this afternoon (April 28) been released from police custody.

They had been arrested on suspicion of the murder of John Hackett, who was found dead at his home off Victoria Road on Wednesday morning. Police said they believed his death was linked to an altercation several hours before, on Tuesday night, at the nearby Snow Hill Recreation Ground.

Detective Inspector Collette O’Keefe said, in a statement, that investigations are ongoing. This includes having a police presence in the area.

DI O'Keefe also issued a warning surrounding the disturbing video that has been circulating on social media locally, and attempts to reveal the identities of the three young people arrested as part of the investigation. "Enquiries are ongoing and residents can expect to continue to see an increased police presence in the area," the statement read.

“I would like to take this chance to reiterate that we believe this was an isolated incident and there is no risk to the wider public. We would also like to remind residents that attempting to share the names of the youths is a criminal offence.

"We are also aware there of footage of the altercation being shared on social media and we would ask people to refrain from sharing it. Attempting to name the youths or sharing a video can ultimately harm the investigation.”

[dutchman]

Children charged with murder over man's death in Nuneaton



Three people have been charged with murder over the death of a man in Nuneaton.

John Hackett, 36, was found dead at his home on Camp Hill Road on 26 April.

Warwickshire Police said officers were called to reports he was assaulted in Snow Hill Recreation Ground a day earlier.

A 16-year-old girl and two 15-year-old boys have been charged with murder and appeared before Coventry Youth Court on Thursday.

The teenagers are due to face Warwick Crown Court on Friday.

[dutchman]

Three teenagers jailed for killing dog walker



Three teenagers who attacked and killed a dog walker in a park have been given custodial sentences ranging from nine months to one year.

A judge said the girl, now aged 16, who filmed the attack, and two boys, aged 16 and 15, had "mocked" John Hackett, 36, as he struggled to breathe after being punched, kicked and held in a headlock.

He was found dead in his home on Camp Hill Road in Nuneaton the next day after leaving hospital shortly before he was due to be treated.

The teenagers, who cannot be named due to their age, were originally charged with his murder but prosecutors accepted their guilty plea to manslaughter.

Warwick Crown Court was told the defendants subjected Mr Hackett to verbal abuse and bullying in the weeks before he suffered several broken ribs and a split to one of his kidneys in Nuneaton's Snow Hill Recreation Ground on 26 April.

Passing sentence on Thursday, Mr Justice Choudhury told the teenagers they had carried out a "grave attack" which resulted in death, albeit one which could have been avoided had medical treatment been obtained.

The girl could be seen smiling in the video, the judge said.

He said in the video Mr Hackett could "be heard gasping for breath. He was clearly begging to be left alone".

He added: "The attack lasted just 36 seconds but it must have seemed like an eternity to your victim."

The video footage, which was played to the court, showed Mr Hackett's body being lifted from the ground by the force of the first kick, inflicted by one of the boys.

Mr Hackett's mother, Christine Smith, sobbed in court as the video and other recordings of the previous harassment and the fatal attack were shown.

Mr Hackett and a member of the public called the police. Officers attended and spoke to the three attackers, who all claimed they were acting in self-defence.

The court was told officers went to Mr Hackett's house, where they found him in considerable distress and took him to hospital.

Two hours later he discharged himself from hospital and went home, but he collapsed the following morning and was declared dead at the scene by paramedics.

The male defendants were both sentenced to a two-year detention and training order, with a one-year custodial element followed by a year of supervision in the community.

The 16-year-old girl was sentenced to an 18-month detention and training order, comprising nine months in custody and a nine-month period of supervision.

Mr Hackett’s family said they had been left devastated by his death.

"We have lost a much loved son, brother, nephew and cousin, taken from us because of a mindless act of violence," they said in a statement.

"There isn’t a day goes by without us thinking of John and what he went through," they added.

The family said they would never be able to forgive those involved.