Brothers reveal torment of Sandwell murder

Richard Groves had allowed Darren Lander to stay at the flat at Alfred Gunn House in Thompson Road, Langley.

That act of kindness cost the 32-year-old his life as the vicious lodger battered Mr Groves around 40 times with a large rock and a piece of broken furniture during an argument.

The blows rained down on his head and neck fracturing the skull in several places, Mr Michael Duck QC, prosecuting told Wolverhampton Crown Court.

They also broke ribs.

"It was a sustained attack with over 40 sites of injury with the most serious injuries on the face and head," revealed Mr Duck.

The 12 minutes of violence erupted after the two men returned to the flat together on the evening of May 16.

The beating could have been triggered by an unfounded belief of Lander that money had been taken from his aunt by Mr Groves, the court heard.

Mr Groves was the youngest of five children and was supported and loved by his family despite falling foul of drugs in his 20s.

Two of his brothers had been helping him by providing furniture for the fifth floor flat the day before his death.

Andrew Lowe, a sales manager and one of his brothers, recalled: "He was the baby of the family who loved his football and was kept on the straight and narrow by his four older brothers.

"Then he got mixed up with the wrong crowd when in his 20s, but he was our brother and we did our best to get him off drugs.

"Our mother passed away unexpectedly on March 12 and her funeral was the last time I saw Richard. He appeared to be doing well.

"How could someone have taken his life in such a violent way? Richard was not a violent man.

"He would run in the opposite direction if there was any trouble.

"He certainly would not start it.

"Now we will never know if he was ever going to make something of his life because it was taken from him.

"The horror of listening to details of the murder has been a painful experience for the entire family but we have had fantastic support from the police and would like to thank them and our friends for all their help."

Another brother John Lowe added: "Although we will never truly get justice it is nice to know that Lander has got a long sentence and will not be able to harm anybody else."

Lander, aged 28 and of no fixed address, pleaded guilty to murder and was jailed for life. He must spend at least 15 years and five months behind bars before being considered for parole.

The court heard that the defendant maintained the rock was kept as a weapon by the victim who allegedly owed money to a drug dealer.

Mr Duck said: "The two men had a mutual interest in class A drugs.

"Because of this they were frequently at the address where Richard Groves let him stay." The defendant claimed to be able to remember little of the details of the assault because he suffered a 'blackout'.

But he made no effort to get assistance as the man lay dying in the bedroom and continued to use the flat for the next two days before ringing a policeman to confess.

He told the officer: "I need to be picked up. I have killed Richard Groves in the bedroom of his flat."

Lander was arrested from outside the home of a relative in Halesowen.

Mr Richard Carey-Hughes QC, defending, said: "Richard Groves was his friend and he killed him in a serious outburst of temper." Judge John Wait told Lander, who gave himself up to police two days later after the May 16 attack: "Evidence proves that this was continuing when you were standing over Richard Groves when he was on the ground either unconscious or defenceless.

"There must have been terror and suffering inflicted, albeit over a short period before death."

Detective Inspector Warren Hines said after the case: "Lander is a violent, unstable thug who, in horrific circumstances, murdered somebody who had shown him kindness when he needed somewhere to live.

"Richard offered the hand of friendship and this was how he was repaid."