UPDATED: A Lymm man who was one of Europe’s most wanted men and on for run for almost 16 years has been jailed for life for the brutal murder of a father who was tortured at a farm in rural Cheshire.
Christopher Guest More Jr was today, Friday, jailed for Life after being convicted of conspiracy to murder Brian Waters at Burnt House Farm in Tabley.
Following the life sentence imposed today, Friday Detective Inspector Kate Tomlinson who led the murder investigation said: “Today, Christopher Guest More Jr has been sentenced to life in prison to serve a minimum term of 24 years for the brutal murder of Brian Waters at Burnt House Farm in Tabley.
“He was also sentenced to 14 years in prison – to run concurrently – for conspiracy to commit grievous bodily harm with intent against Suleman Razak.
“This brings to an end a long journey for all those involved and I hope that the conclusion of this case helps the family of Brian Waters and Suleman Razak to finally move forward with their lives knowing that Christopher Guest More Jr has been brought to justice and is now behind bars for a very long time.”
It took the jury just over 12 hours yesterday to reach its verdict following a trial lasting four-and-a-half weeks at Chester Crown Court.
The 43-year-old was also found guilty of conspiracy to commit grievous bodily harm with intent against another man. He has been remanded into custody and is due to be sentenced on Friday 10 December.
Brian Waters, who was 44 at the time of his death, sustained more than 100 separate injuries to his body after being tortured for more than three hours in a disused barn on the farm.
Another man – Suleman Razak – was left with significant wounds. The pair had to endure a sustained and brutal beating until they lost consciousness, were tied up, whipped with canes, suspended upside down and lowered into a barrel of dirty water, given electric shocks, burned with acid, stapled and strangled. A pillowcase was also put over their heads and set on fire.
Following the verdict yesterday, Detective Inspector Tomlinson said: “Today, Christopher Guest More Jr has finally been found guilty of his part in the brutal murder of Brian Waters at Burnt House Farm on 19 June 2003. He fled the UK two days after the incident and stole another man’s identity in a bid to evade justice. We never gave up hope of finding him over the years and the guilty verdict marks a significant point in a long and painful road for all those involved.
“The level of violence used against the victims in this case was absolutely shocking. As police officers we are used to dealing with violent crime – but the barbaric nature of this attack is something that you never forget. When you look at what happened at the farm that day, and what those men did, it feels like something you only ever see in the movies. It doesn’t feel like something that could ever happen in real life – let alone in rural Cheshire.”
Nicola Wyn Williams from the Crown Prosecution Service said: “It has been a privilege to work as part of such a dedicated prosecution team to bring the defendant to justice and hopefully provide some closure for the victims and family in this case.”
Nikki Holland, NCA Director of Investigations, said: “We are utterly delighted that after very many years of cheating justice, Guest More Jnr is in prison where he belongs for a long time. The NCA and Cheshire Police worked quietly, hand-in-hand behind the scenes for all those years developing strategies and pursuing leads to find him.
“The Agency’s investigators and International Liaison Officer network were instrumental in tracing and identifying Guest More Jnr to Malta. We used a range of specialist capabilities – which we lead for the benefit of all UK law enforcement – to pinpoint Guest More Jnr where our Maltese partners arrested him.
“More Jnr featured on the very successful Operation Capture fugitives hunt, and out of 96 fugitives there are now just nine evading justice. We were never going to give up the hunt to catch him. Other fugitives should remember that and
ask themselves if it’s worth living a life looking over their shoulder.”
Statement on behalf of the family of Brian Waters
We are delighted with the guilty verdict and pleased that Christopher Guest More Jr is finally facing justice for his part in the horrific murder of a loving husband and father.
We would like to thank detectives from Cheshire Constabulary, the prosecution team and everyone else involved in the case for all of their hard work and tireless and extensive investigations, which now span more than 18 years. We would also like to extend our thanks to the Family Liaison Officers for their help, advice and support over the years.
What happened at Burnt House Farm on 19 June 2003 has had a significant and long-lasting effect on our family. We will never be able to forget events of that day and, even now, more than 18 years down the line, we feel the pain on a daily basis with constant flashbacks.
We have remained a close-knit family and have provided much-needed support to each other – but this has been an isolating experience for us and not only have we lived in fear of reprisals we have also struggled to trust others as we normally would.
It’s similar to the feelings people have experienced in the current COVID crisis – not being able to leave their home and having to stay inside to feel safe. We have been living like that for more than 18 years.
But we never gave up hope and the verdict today marks the end of an incredibly painful journey in our lives. We would now ask that our privacy is respected and we are left alone as a family as we try and move forward with the next chapter of our lives.
Nicola Wyn Williams from the Crown Prosecution Service said: “It has been a privilege to work as part of such a dedicated prosecution team to bring the defendant to justice and hopefully provide some closure for the victims and family in this case.”
Nikki Holland, NCA Director of Investigations, said: “We are utterly delighted that after very many years of cheating justice, Guest More Jnr is in prison where he belongs for a long time. The NCA and Cheshire Police worked quietly, hand-in-hand behind the scenes for all those years developing strategies and pursuing leads to find him.
“The Agency’s investigators and International Liaison Officer network were instrumental in tracing and identifying Guest More Jnr to Malta. We used a range of specialist capabilities – which we lead for the benefit of all UK law enforcement – to pinpoint Guest More Jnr where our Maltese partners arrested him.
“More Jnr featured on the very successful Operation Capture fugitives hunt, and out of 96 fugitives there are now just nine evading justice. We were never going to give up the hunt to catch him. Other fugitives should remember that and ask themselves if it’s worth living a life looking over their shoulder.”
