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Two teenagers share their experiences of being transgender school students.

Four people who were convicted for their part in the death of Mark Swinhoe have been jailed for a combined total of 59 years.

Mr Swinhoe, a 38-year-old amputee, was beaten over the head with his own prosthetic leg before being stabbed to death in a drugs deal that went wrong.

He had gone with a friend to Moira Street in Loughborough where he had arranged to meet someone to obtain drugs.

But shortly after arriving, he was attacked and killed by two men who then attacked his friend in a vicious and violent encounter.

Today (Thursday 19 July) at Leicester Crown Court, Harry Matthews, 22, of Brush Drive, Loughborough, was jailed for life after he was found guilty of Mr Swinhoe’s murder and assault on his friend. He will serve a minimum of 27 years before being considered for release on life licence.

The sentence also takes into account his guilty plea at an earlier hearing for supplying Class A drugs and possession of a knife.

Jamie Wileman, 24, of Elm Grove, Moira, Swadlincote was jailed for 12 years after he was found guilty of Mr Swinhoe’s manslaughter, but acquitted of murder. The sentence also takes into account his guilty plea for supplying Class A drugs.

The verdicts in relation to Mr Swinhoe’s death for Matthews and Wileman were majority verdicts.

Paul Anthony Williams, 38, of no fixed address, was acquitted of both murder and manslaughter but was found guilty of two counts of supplying Class A drugs. He was sentenced to eight years in prison.

The three were convicted after a four week trial at crown court which concluded on Tuesday 10 July.

A fourth man, Christopher Cunningham-Pithouse, 24, of Glebe Road, Queniborough, pleaded guilty at a previous hearing to assisting an offender and supplying class A drugs and was sentenced to 12 years in prison.

Mr Swinhoe was killed in the early hours of Sunday 14 January in a garage block near Moira Street. The court heard that Mr Swinhoe had no intention to pay for the drugs and was going to rob the defendants.

A post-mortem examination found that while a stab wound to his back had caused his death, he had also been stamped and kicked around the head and witnesses describe him being hit with his own prosthetic leg.

His friend sustained bruising to her body and a cut to her face. Detective Chief Inspector Martin Smalley, who led the investigation, said: “Matthews came armed with a weapon and had no qualms in attacking Mr Swinhoe. This was a vicious attack by any definition.

“While I am pleased with the convictions nothing will bring Mark back and his family have been left distraught by his loss. The four defendants now face more than 59 years in prison between them, I hope this gives them a chance to reflect on their actions and their devastating consequences.

“Carrying a knife is an open opportunity for people to use it – the simple message is don’t carry a knife – it’s time that those who carry such weapons realised this.

“We continue to prioritise knife crime and are doing everything we can to dissuade people from thinking it is acceptable to carry them as weapons.

“We work closely with partner agencies to educate people, especially youngsters, on the devastation these incidents leave behind, the cost to them and the lives of others.

“Operations are carried out across the force area and those identified as being involved in knife crime or suspected of carrying weapons in public places are targeted.

“It is high time that people took note of the senseless death toll that is inexorably growing in this country and changed their behaviour.”

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DfE is seeking views on draft regulations, statutory guidance and a regulatory impact assessment for relationships and sex education and health education.

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Free A-level Art Masterclasses

Artist Will Teather - Storytelling, Symbolism & Illusion

Norwich Castle Museum & Art Gallery

Thursday 20 & Friday 21 September 2018, 10am - 2.30pm

max 20 students each day

 

In conjunction with the exhibition The Paston Treasure: Riches and Rarities of the Known World (22 June to 23 September 2018), this is a chance for A-level Art students to develop their artistic thinking skills and techniques working with a practising artist.

 

For more details please click here

 

To book contact norwichcastle.bookings@norfolk.gov.uk, 01603 493663

Web: www.museums.norfolk.gov.uk
Email: museums@norfolk.gov.uk

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Contact details of project leads.

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