Damning footage led to killers' downfall

Playing pool, swigging lager and eating fish and chips – these exclusive CCTV images were captured just minutes after Jason Talbot and Arthur Henry murdered an innocent man in cold blood.

The brutal killing of Peter White and his murderers' callous actions afterwards were captured on CCTV. West Midlands Police spent 200 hours piecing together an intricate jigsaw of the footage, which led to Talbot and Henry's downfall.

Today, the Bilston men were each sentenced to life in prison for carrying out the murder on October 9 last year.

The day itself started out like any other in Bilston and the town centre was still busy at 4.30pm with people visiting the shops and commuters making their way home from school or work.

But just yards away from the everyday hustle and bustle, Peter White was being beaten to death.

The odd-job man was killed by 35-year-old Talbot and 46-year-old Henry as he sat on a park bench a stone's throw from the town's packed bus station.

Pedestrians passed by on one side of a fence unaware while Talbot and Henry kicked and punched their victim to death on the other.

Talbot, of Rocket Pool Drive, Bradley, was found guilty of murder at Wolverhampton Crown Court yesterday, while Henry, of Rosemary Avenue, The Lunt, was convicted today.

Cameras caught the pair battering Mr White as he sat on a bench in Church Street. During the brutal five-minute attack, the killers are said to have stolen £20 from the victim's pockets which they later spent on a game of pool, fish and chips and alcohol.

CCTV shows the pair fleeing Church Street at 4.35pm and entering the bus station, where Talbot walked with his arm affectionately around Henry who was wringing his hands due to the ferocity with which he had 47-year-old Mr White. They were then caught on camera at 4.48pm enjoying a game of pool in The Greyhound & Punchbowl. After falling asleep drunk in the pub, they were asked to leave at 5.51pm and filmed buying fish and chips and then lager and cider from the Beers Direct off licence.

Both Talbot and Henry, also known as Tattooed Tony, are alcoholics and denied murdering Mr White on the grounds of diminished responsibility. Both claimed they were too drunk to be in control of their actions.

During the two-week trial at the city's crown court, Henry told the jury in tears: "I remember I smacked and kicked him. My head is messed up because of the beer."

Mr White, who also worked casually as a driver's mate, was one of a group of drinkers that convened in an area of Church Street, known locally as the Flea Pit or Horseshoe. The victim, who lived in Bilston Road, was 5ft 8in tall and weighed just nine stones – his nicknames were Peter Pan and Little Pete due to his small stature.

A group of good Samaritans, including two passers-by and workers from the bus station's information desk, rushed to his aid after the attack. Mr White tried to mouth for help as he lay dying in the arms of pedestrian Steven Bircher, who spotted his legs poking out from behind a bin.

But, there was nothing that could be done to save him and he died of a horrific catalogue of injuries, including a brain haemorrhage, a fractured bone in his neck, broken ribs and severe bruising and lacerations.