Brutal Arthur Gumbley murderer to spend at least 33 years in prison
A "truly wicked" killer will serve at least 33 years behind bars for the murder of an 87-year-old pensioner during a burglary at his home.
Jason Wilsher, 20, was one of at least two people who broke into great-grandfather Arthur Gumbley's commuter-belt home and attacked him in Little Aston, near Walsall, as he watched TV.
The well respected retired businessman suffered a brain injury and extensive bruising, four broken ribs and carpet burns as he was "beaten black and blue" by his attackers and dragged from room to room.
He died in hospital from his injuries three weeks later.
At Stafford Crown Court, Wilsher's criminal history was detailed by the judge - listing offences including a similar attack on an 86-year-old man in his own home.
'Cowardly and callous'
Judge Michael Chambers, QC, told Wilsher: "It was senseless.
"He was a vulnerable, elderly man. There was no need to commit this act. It was pointless.
"To be attacked in one's own home is everyone's worst nightmare. To target elderly victims in their own homes is truly wicked."
WATCH: Arthur Gumbley speak from hospital bed
The judge continued: "This was a well-prepared and professional crime.
"I am quite satisfied that it was part of the intention to use serious violence in order to achieve your aims.
"This was, in any view, a cowardly and callous act."
'Why punch a pensioner?'
The court heard that Mr Gumbley, a great-grandfather of four, had been much loved and respected by his family and friends, who missed him greatly.
His son Michael Gumbley said: "There's not a day goes by where I don't think about how my dad died.
"I don't understand why another human being would want to kick or punch an elderly pensioner – all they needed to do was to tell him to sit in his chair and shut up. He would have done that.
"To lose someone you love in the way we have is devastating."
Mr Gumbley's daughter Sandra Bromley also expressed her sadness at her father's death, saying: "He was a brave man. We love him and we miss him daily.
"Every night I go to ring him but the only way I can hear his voice now is on a tape from his hospital bed."
Another daughter of Mr Gumbley, Susan Boyes, said the attack had made her an "emotional wreck" and it makes her "cry every night".
History of violence
Wilsher was found guilty of murder and conspiracy to rob in a unanimous verdict following a two-week trial.
The defendant, a traveller based at Barlestone Road in Bagworth, Leicestershire, had previous convictions - along with some of his six brothers - for battery, affray and burglary.
The judge said they bore a common theme of targetting elderly victims living in affluent areas for their money and valuables "in a ruthless, violent and callous manner", usually in the early evening when they would be in.
He described Wilsher as "forensically aware" having gone to the bungalow in Endwood Drive on November 21, 2017, dressed in black, with his face covered and wearing gloves.
However he was convicted on damning DNA evidence found on a bedroom drawer, which was an 860 million-to-one match.
'Professional crime'
In sentencing, Judge Chambers said he took into account that Wilsher was 18 at the time and accepted he had intended to cause really serious harm rather than to kill.
But he added it had been "a well-prepared and professional crime", aggravated by the targetting of an elderly person and by the defendant's previous convictions.
Wearing a white shirt in the dock, Wilsher showed no emotion and looked straight ahead as he was handed his mandatory life sentence.
The conspiracy to rob charge was related to another elderly man, Dennis Taylor, who lived in the Creswell area of Derbyshire and suffered injuries at the hands of burglars.
The 82-year-old told police he had his head banged on to the hearth of a fireplace four days after Mr Gumbley was attacked.
