Black Country woman and boyfriend stalked victim before attack that killed him

Shannon Cronin, from Cradley Heath, and her boyfriend Sean Sweeney were both jailed for manslaughter this week over the attack that killed Mark Lloyd last year.

West Midlands Police today welcomed the combined 15-year sentence handed out to the couple and described how the moments leading up to the attack were caught on camera.

Cronin, 24, and Sweeney, 27, went out on September 21 intent on robbing someone in order to fund buying cigarettes and alcohol.

At around 11.30pm that night, they assaulted and robbed 39-year-old Mr Lloyd in Aldridge Road, Perry Barr, after stalking him while he made his way home after an evening out with friends.

The attack and the moments leading up to it were captured on CCTV footage.

He was attacked from behind, with Sweeney punching him to the back of the head with such force that he collapsed to the ground and never regained consciousness.

The pair then searched Mr Lloyd, stealing his mobile phone and bank card, before leaving him alone at the side of the road.

Cronin and Sweeney were arrested 25 minutes after the assault and were initially charged with robbery and fraud.

However Mr Lloyd, from Kingstanding, died in hospital eight days later as a result of a head injury caused by Sweeney's punch.

The couple were then rearrested and further charged with murder.

On Monday, Cronin, of Clyde Street, Cradley Heath, was found guilty of manslaughter, robbery and fraud following a trial at Birmingham Crown Court. She was sentenced to five years in prison.

Sweeney, of Oscott Road, in Perry Barr, had previously pleaded guilty to the same charges and was locked up for 10 years.

Detective Sergeant Jonathan Gill, from West Midlands Police, said: “This was a shocking attack on a loving and devoted family man who was on his way home after an evening with friends.

“The violence used was extreme and the couple’s actions were callous and lacking in remorse as they left Mr Lloyd seriously injured and went to buy the cigarettes and alcohol using his bank card.

“Mr Lloyd’s family are left devastated by their actions – I hope the conviction of Sweeney and Cronin, and the support our officers have given them, provides some comfort.”

After his death, in a statement, Mr Lloyd’s heartbroken family said: “Mark was a much-loved father, brother, son, partner and friend to so many people.

“He has been taken from us in the most unfair of ways. He will be missed so much by us all.”