Somes McFarland jailed for 13 years for Pool hostel killing
A man who battered a fellow resident to death at a homeless hostel will serve a minimum of 13 years before he is eligible for parole.
Earlier this month Somes McFarland, 28, who has Asperger's syndrome, was found guilty of murdering 51-year-old Peter Oates. The killer was drunk at the time of the attack.
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Somes McFarland
Following a week-long trial McFarland pleaded not guilty to murder.
The jury rejected his plea of "manslaughter due to diminished responsibility".
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Yesterday he returned to court to receive the mandatory life sentence for murder and to hear details of the minimum term he will serve.
Mr Oates, an alcoholic who was described as being "frail" at the time of his death, died from a brain injury in his room where the murder happened.
Jurors heard that McFarland used his fists and feet as weapons to attack his victim.
Mr Oates suffered 19 fractures to his ribs where McFarland had jumped up and down on him, as well as injuries to his head and neck.
The sickening assault took place at the Henley House hostel, Fore Street, Pool, beginning late on March 24 and continuing into the early hours of the following day.
CCTV images captured McFarland entering and leaving Mr Oates' room a number of times on the night.
The Honourable Mr Justice Burnett said McFarland had kept demanding "respect" during the assault while repeating the words "I'm a killer".
The judge said the attack was "sustained and repeated". He emphasised that the 13-year term was a minimum sentence and the parole board would only release him when they were sure he was ready to leave.
Comments
by stevepz
Sunday, December 23 2012, 3:14PM
“Why would you beat a person to death with your bear hands unless you enjoyed it. Sadistic people need to learn human beings are not things the be beaten, tortured and killed for their enjoyment.
Why do we let these people off time and time again until they finally kill someone. Stiff sentences for violent crimes from the off set. Including the first offence.”
by AnGof2012
Sunday, December 23 2012, 1:32PM
“Thankfully, the death penalty will never be re introduced in theis country.
Too many innocent people have later been released from prison.”
by dma5545
Sunday, December 23 2012, 11:23AM
“I stand by my original statement "bring back hanging"
because:
1/ In the USA they dont get any re offending from there murderers(there dead!)
2/ The miscarriages of justice are usually down to very clever solicitors getting there clients off on technocalities (it doesnt mean they didnt do it)
3/ Hastily introduced laws? what you mean murder!!! /(enough said on that one )
and as for imagining what it would be like to walk to the gallows how about imagining what it would feel like to have your brother/sister/father/ mother etc etc murdered and then seeing the offender get to serve only 6 years of a 13 year sentence.......justice? I think not.”
by MapSerpren
Saturday, December 22 2012, 2:03PM
“Let us consider that oft repeated phrase 'bring back hanging.'
In many States of the USA, capital punishment exists. It has no effect on the murder rate.
Consider now the miscarriages of justice down this past few years. These brought about by lying police officers, unreliable witnesses, defecive judicial procedures, bad and hastily introduced laws. Now imagine yourself to be one of those wrongfully convicted and facing the death penalty. Perhaps then you may not be so keen on hanging as you walk down to the gallows.”
by dma5545
Saturday, December 22 2012, 9:24AM
“bring back hanging!!!”