Man jailed for life for Kidderminster murder

Henry Lewis Jones, of Offmore Road, Kidderminster, was sentenced at Worcester Crown Court yesterday after being found guilty of the murder of 55-year-old Mark Beresford earlier this year.

Jones will serve a minimum of 18 years.

Paramedics were called to a property on Offmore Road, Kidderminster, at around 8.30pm on March 24 where Mr Beresford was found with serious head injuries. He was taken to hospital where he later died. A murder investigation was launched after hospital staff reported their concerns around the cause of his injuries.

Jones claimed Mr Beresford had fallen over in the kitchen at the house where they both lived. The jury agreed that his account of the incident was false and found him guilty of murder.

West Mercia Police Detective Chief Inspector Leighton Harding said: "It was shown throughout the course of the trial that Jones lied right to the end; however the jury rejected that he acted in self defence.

"This has been a difficult trial for Mark's family to be witness to, particularly with the lack of remorse shown by Jones. They have acted with dignity throughout which I thank them for.

"I'd also like to thank the witnesses who gave evidence and helped to secure the conviction."