Current location:politics >>
Convicted robber, 45, admits stabbing charity busker, 87, while riding his mobility scooter
politics3People have gathered around
IntroductionA convicted robber has admitted stabbing an elderly mobility scooter rider to death in a 'motiveless ...
A convicted robber has admitted stabbing an elderly mobility scooter rider to death in a 'motiveless' attack - just five days after he was released from prison.
Lee Byer stabbed Thomas O'Halloran - a charity busker - in the neck and chest in Greenford, west London, in August 2022.
It can now be reported that Byer had a string of violent previous convictions, and days earlier had been released from Wormwood Scrubs.
Today, the 45-year-old, of no fixed address, denied murder but pleaded guilty to the lesser offence of manslaughter by diminished responsibility and having an offensive weapon.
Thomas O'Halloran, 87, was fatally stabbed in the neck and chest in Greenford, west London, in August 2022
Lee Byer (pictured) stabbed 87-year-old Thomas O'Halloran in the neck and chest in Greenford, west London , in August 2022
Byer (pictured on CCTV) had a string of previous convictions, and days earlier had been released from Wormwood Scrubs
Prosecutor Gareth Patterson KC accepted the pleas after mental health reports found Byer was psychotic, hearing voices, and suffered from paranoid delusions and paranoid schizophrenia.
He said the defendant's mental state provided an explanation for what was a 'motiveless attack'.
Grandfather Mr O'Halloran was originally from Co Clare in western Ireland and had been well known in the local community.
He was said to be a passionate musician and described as 'very popular' in Greenford, often busking for charity.
Footage on social media showed him busking to raise money for Ukraine months before the killing.
Shortly after 4pm on August 16, 2022, police received a 999 call from a member of the public who found the victim on his scooter coming from a passageway that runs between Runneymede Gardens and Welland Gardens.
Mr O'Halloran was able to tell the passer-by that he had been stabbed, although wounds to his body were clearly visible, the Old Bailey has previously heard.
The police arrived within minutes and Mr O'Halloran had collapsed and was being helped by members of the public.
Lee Byer, 44, pleaded guilty to manslaughter at the Old Bailey on April 29 (Pictured: A court sketch from August 19)
Mr O'Halloran's mobility scooter with the Ukrainian flag's colours in Greenford in August 2022
Mr O'Halloran (pictured), who was said to be well known in the local community, collapsed from his mobility scooter outside Runnymede Gardens having been stabbed
Flowers, candles and a vial of holy water were laid at the site near where Mr O'Halloran was stabbed after his death. Picture: August 2022
Forensics at the scene in Greenford, west London, where Mr O'Halloran was stabbed to death in August 2022
Police and medics took over first aid but he was pronounced dead at the scene at 4.54pm.
A post-mortem examination found he had suffered multiple stab wounds to the neck, chest and abdomen.
Mr O'Halloran and the defendant were caught on CCTV heading towards the passageway where their paths crossed.
The footage showed that, apart from Byer, no-one else went into or out of the area when the victim was attacked.
When he left the passageway, a knife could be seen in Byer's hand.
He was caught on camera depositing a knife handle in a drain in Haymill Close on the way back to his mother's house.
Court artist's sketch of Lee Byer at Willesden Magistrates' Court in August 2022
Flowers outside the Tesco in Perivale, where Mr O'Halloran used to play his accordion. Picture: August 19, 2022
Flowers outside a Tesco superstore where Thomas O'Halloran used to busk
Forensic analysis found the victim's blood on the handle, although the blade was never found.
After CCTV images of the suspect were released in the media, Byer was identified by people working in the criminal justice system.
After being arrested at his mother's house on August 18, Byer told police: 'Murder, I was in prison at the time.'
Clothes matching those seen on CCTV were found in a search of the property as well as a knife set with handles similar to the one found in the drain.
Police also alleged Byer had tried to burn the clothes he was wearing in his mother's garden.
In police interviews, he denied being the suspect caught on CCTV, claiming he was in his mother's garden or the park at the time.
It can now be reported that Byer had 15 previous convictions recorded against him for 30 offences dating back to when he was 14.
In 2011, he was convicted of robbery and was sentenced to 12 years in prison.
On August 11 2022, Byer had been released from Wormwood Scrubs.
Mr O'Halloran was survived by his family, including his sister, two brothers, nieces and nephews.
At the time of his death, Fine Gael senator Martin Conway said Mr O'Halloran visited Ireland regularly and that his death had left his home community in Ennistymon in 'deep shock and sadness'.
'Tommy, as he was known, left Ennistymon for London 71 years ago but travelled home almost every year until about 10 years ago,' he said.
Old Bailey Judge Mark Lucraft adjourned sentencing until May 10.
Tags:
Reprint:Friends are welcome to share on the Internet, but please indicate the source of the article when reprinting it.“Culture Current news portal”。http://trinidadandtobago.shopajsupply.net/news-78b399577.html
Related articles
Beijing improves services to facilitate film and television projects
politicsBeijing launched its film and television production service mechanism on Wednesday amid the bustling ...
【politics】
Read moreRichard Osman reveals his food addiction is still 'absolutely ever
politicsRichard Osman has opened up about his four decade long battle with a food addiction as he admitted i ...
【politics】
Read moreMuslim teaching assistant claims being awarded the Christmas Grinch prize at 'light
politicsA Muslim teaching assistant who claimed that being given the Christmas Grinch prize at a staff award ...
【politics】
Read more
Popular articles
- 3 dead, 4 missing in explosion at Italy power station
- Denver Nuggets realize defending their NBA championship will be a tough task in improved West
- Children played just yards from where headless torso was found at nature reserve, police reveal
- Children played just yards from where headless torso was found at nature reserve, police reveal
- Oracle bone script art exhibition unveiled in South Africa
- PETER HITCHENS: The so
Latest articles
China rejects US accusations over normal China
Jennifer Lopez, 54, is a fresh
Tunisian journalist sentenced to 6 months in prison for insulting an official
Chris Pratt films blood
50 migrants reported missing and 9 rescued after their boat overturns off Spanish Atlantic island
North Carolina high school student, 16, is suspended for saying 'illegal alien' in class
LINKS
- Armenian victims group ask International Criminal Court to investigate genocide claim
- Bills would preferably be on the receiving end in the NFL draft after dealing Diggs to Houston
- Joel Embiid stars with 23
- Does a photo show US troops stationed in Taiwan’s Kinmen islands? — Radio Free Asia
- EU proposes youth mobility agreement with UK to help youngsters travel, work and live in both areas
- Prince Harry confirms he is now a US resident
- Tom Schwartz rates Las Vegas kiss with Scheana Shay a FIVE as he brands it 'weird': 'So platonic'
- Police detective lays bare Hells Angels' twisted links to the MAFIA
- Indianapolis man charged with murder in fatal shootings of 3 at apartment complex
- Republicans file lawsuit challenging Evers's partial vetoes to literacy bill