Murderers who dumped a fatally injured man in a box to die after attacking him in a row over £20 have been jailed for life.
Blaine Hammond was killed in a prolonged attack by Louis Whelan and Anthony Keating, who stamped, kicked and punched him, causing a devastating brain injury. Whelan then dragged his unconscious victim to a disused utility box in Sunderland and locked him in on a cold December night.
Whelan, 23, who has 21 previous convictions and Keating, 23, who has nine previous convictions, were both found guilty of murdering Blaine after a trial last year. As the pair were jailed for life with a minimum term of 14 years at Newcastle Crown Court, 22-year-old Blaine's mum, Leigh Gray, outlined the devastating impact her son's death has had on her and his family and friends.
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She said: "I will never get over the loss of my beautiful son or the horrendous circumstances of his murder. Blaine was a caring, well-loved son, brother, uncle, nephew, grandson, cousin and friend.
"Those responsible for his death have not only taken his life but have destroyed the lives of all who loved him. We all feel we are living our own life sentences. We never got the chance to say goodbye to him. He had his whole life ahead of him.
"It's taken two people to destroy not only his life but that of all of his family and friends. He will always be loved and missed and forever be in our hearts."
It was in the early hours of December 3 2021 that Keating and Blaine went to Whelan's home on Saltburn Road, Sunderland, where they were present for two hours before a drug-fuelled argument erupted which led to Whelan and Keating attacking Blaine, first inside the house then outside.
Peter Glenser KC, prosecuting, said: "The attack was sustained and Whelan dragged the unconscious but living body to a local disused utility hut, where he was found by police. They had punched, kicked and stamped on him with the intention of causing him really serious injury, which later caused him to die from damage to his brain.
"He was left to suffer what must have been a cold and lonely death, if he regained consciousness. Keating knew Whelan had placed him in the utility box and was aware of the risk of hypothermia on that cold night.
"The intention was to cause really serious harm rather than to kill. It arose over that £20 note." The attack was triggered by a belief Blaine had stolen the £20 belonging to Keating from a mantlepiece.
Sentencing the pair, Mr Justice Morris said: "This was a persistent and drug-induced attack by the two of you, leading to the senseless death of a young man with his whole life ahead of him and which has caused enduring misery to others."
Whelan's barrister said he was young and has no violence on his record.
Caroline Goodwin KC, for Keating, said: "He is extremely distressed. There is no disrespect or discourtesy meant to the court. This was sad and unfortunate and certainly not a pre-planned event."
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