Life sentence for savage murder

A WARRINGTON man was today jailed for life for the murder of a disabled friend who had looked to him for help and support.
Andrew Blaine, 25, pleaded guilty at Chester Crown Court to the murder of Kevin Walsh, aged 46, of Whitethroat Walk, Birchwood, Warrington.
He was sentenced to life imprisonment, with a recommendation that he serve a minimum of 17 years.
The court was told Mr Walsh (pictured) had mobility difficulties as a result of health issues.
A small circle of friends would help him out, shopping for him and calling in to keep him company.
Neighbours described him as a pleasant man who would pass the time of day but often appeared frail.
One of the “Good Samaritans” was Blaine and he was entrusted by Mr Walsh with details of his post office account into which his disability allowance was paid so that he could go and collect cash for him.
However, police believed that Blaine abused this position of trust, and stole money from the vulnerable man who had trusted him. Police subsequently established that the account had been “cleared out”.
Mr Walsh’s body was found slumped in a chair in his home in the early hours of February 12. A post mortem established that the attack which had claimed his life had been sustained and determined, with several different methods of assault upon him to ensure that he would die.
While the precise order of the attacks could not be confirmed, medical experts believed he was subjected to blows to his head and face – possibly delivered by a fist. This caused bruising and injuries to his forehead, nose, and scalp, and to the chest and collarbone.
It was thought Kevin was also attacked using two kitchen knives, with slash wounds running across his nose, cheek, and lips. He also had around 20 puncture wounds to his chest, suggesting he had been prodded with a knife – and two full stab wounds to the chest.
He had tried to defend himself as he had defensive injuries to his hand. His injuries also included evidence of asphyxiation, possibly from his mouth and nose being forcefully blocked.
Such was the force used, that one of hs teeth was knocked out, and was found in his stomach. Finally, his throat was cut.
Detective Inspector Jo Miller, who led the murder enquiry, said: “This was not a momentary loss of control in anger or some other emotion. This was a sustained and deliberate attempt to end the life of another human being.
“It was an attack by a younger man on an older man, and by a man who was fit and healthy upon a vulnerable and somewhat frail individual who had reduced mobility. The level of violence used in the attack was extreme.”
Following the assault, Blaine made desperate efforts to hide what he had done – even attempting to get complicity from friends. However, repulsed by the murder his friends refused to help him cover his tracks.
Blaine then telephoned police in the early hours of February 12, and tried to convince them he had found his friend dead.
He attempted to conceal the knives used in the attack by hiding them in bushes nearby, but a police search recovered the weapons. Subsequently, police found clothing belonging to Blaine at his home which was stained with Mr Walsh’s blood.
After the hearing, Detective Inspector Miller said: “The people of Birchwood were shocked by this violent act within their community. Such violent assaults are thankfully very rare, and diligent police work resulted quickly in the identification of Andrew Blaine as the perpetrator, as well as the recovery of the weapons used in the attack, together with key forensic evidence which placed Blaine at the scene.”