«Breaking News» Telford boy Jimmy Owens jailed for cricket bat murder of Derek Whyteside

Pictured: Jimmy Owens, 16, has been sentenced to life in prison for murdering Derek Whyteside with a cricket bat. His identity can be revealed after the judge lifted reporting restrictions

The identity of a schoolboy who killed a devoted stepfather with a cricket bat in a row over his stepchildren's bikes has been revealed after he was jailed for life.

Jimmy Owens, 16, murdered Derek Whyteside, 42, with a single blow when he tried to retrieve two bicycles that had been stolen from the children of his partner, Michelle Beddall.  

A judge today lifted a court order banning the media from naming Owens, after he was found guilty of the crime in the Mainslee area of Telford, Shropshire on June 18.  

He was sentenced at Stoke on Trent Crown Court today and will have to serve a minimum of 10 years before he is eligible for release.   

The teenager's father, William Owens, and his uncle Gareth Owens - who stamped on Mr Whyteside's head as he lay dying with a fractured skull - both admitted affray and were jailed for 20 months each at an earlier hearing. 

The teenage boy's trial heard Mr Whyteside had 'no chance' after he was attacked with a child-sized cricket bat from behind less than a mile from his home. He died in hospital 36 hours afterwards. 

Jurors were told how Mr Whyteside had gone looking for the people he believed responsible for stealing two bikes from his stepchildren.

Armed with a knuckleduster, he confronted the teenager who ran away.

Owens then armed himself with a cricket bat, for what he said was self-defence, then hit Mr Whyteside in separate confrontation over the vikes.

Witnesses said the boy, who had taken an exam at school that morning, shouted that he had 'killed him' as Mr Whyteside lay motionless in the road. 

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Murdered: Derek Whyteside was hit over the head with a cricket bat and stamped on as he looked for two bikes which had been stolen from the children of his partner Michelle Beddall

Another youth, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was cautioned for theft. 

Judge Paul Glenn condemned 'despicable' mobile phone images taken of the victim  before he was put in the recovery position. 

But he praised the efforts of the schoolboy's mother to help Mr Whyteside in his final conscious moments.  

Passing sentence, Judge Paul Glenn told him: 'Jimmy Owens, you were convicted of murder on November 15.

'The relevant events - have had a catastrophic effect on the lives of so many people - took place within a few short hours.

'Two bicycles belonging to Michelle Beddall's children were stolen. Ms Beddall's inquiries led her to believe you were involved.

'You knew who had taken these bikes and you could have assisted in their recovery.

'If you had done the decent thing at this stage, none of the subsequent events would ever have happened.

'Derek Whyteside had decided to look for those he believed were responsible - in particular for you.

'He arrived outside your home address. You were with your friends and I accept he was making threats.

'Your mother called out to Derek Whyteside. Others in the group were shouting. He turned to face them.

William Owens is pictured outside court right with his brother Gareth left. They were jailed for 20 months for affray at an earlier hearing. William's son Jimmy has been given life in prison for murder with a minimum of 10 years 

'At this stage, you emerged from bushes and struck him from behind with the bat. You struck him in a cowardly way.

'The impact fractured his skull. The fracture extended into his eye socket. He fell, banging the back of his head on the road, causing further injury.

'You aimed at his head. You used significant force. A witness said it like a baseball swing with two hands.

'They said on a scale of one to ten, the force you used was a ten. Mr Whyteside never saw that blow coming.

'He had no chance to take any evasive action. It was a vicious blow delivered in anger. This was not in self defence.

'Jimmy Owens - you took a weapon to the scene. You intended to have it available for use as a weapon, and you did use it to commit the murder.

'These events occurred in broad daylight and in the presence of children - your use of violence was totally gratuitous.

'You charged upon him like a pack of hyenas. Mr Whyteside's untimely death will have caused heart break to his family and friends and they have my sympathies.

'I am satisfied that your intention was to cause serious bodily harm rather than to kill. This is not a case in which there is premeditation.

'The actions of Mr Whyteside represent some degree of provocation, but I do not accept you acted in self defence.'

Floral tributes were placed near the scene where Mr Whyteside was brutally murdered

The judge said of William Owens, 41, and his brother Gareth, 39: 'I accept your initial involvement reflected concern for your son's wellbeing. But you were part of a numerically superior group.

'And your part was frankly outrageous. Your involvement is so serious that only custody is appropriate.

'Gareth Owens - your role equates to that of your brother. You joined in on the assault on Mr Whyteside as he was lying in the road dying. It was a despicably unpleasant assault.'

The judge said Australian-born Mr Whyteside - who had 'demons' involving alcohol and drugs - had behaved badly on the day in question but had paid a 'terrible and totally unjustified price' for doing so.

Patrick Harrington QC, defending Jimmy Owens, said: 'He was a 16-year-old boy who left school that day with aspirations and ambition.

'He was under threat from a man who was armed.

'What should be the best years for a 16-year-old are going to be lost to him.'

In a victim impact statement read to the court on behalf of Mr Whyteside's partner, Michelle Beddall, she said: 'I am having to go through living hell because they acted like animals and can't face up to what they have done.

'I hate what they have done to me and my kids.' 

In an emotional family statement released by police at the time of his death, they said: 'Derek was a nice guy, he was lovable and could always see the best in people and if he considered you a friend he would strive never to let you down.

'He would always be there for you and was very proud of his extended family.

'He was a fab dad to his partner's children, very protective, cheeky and loving and always meant well.

'He was Michelle's world and was so good to her. He was a great brother too. We can't understand why anyone would do this.' 

After the case, Detective Inspector Mark Bellamy, of West Mercia Police, said: 'I'm pleased with this sentence and hope it brings some kind of justice for Derek's family and friends as they continue to come to terms with his tragic death and our thoughts remain with them at this time.

'I would also like to thank the local community for their support and cooperation throughout our investigation.'

Link hienalouca.com

https://hienalouca.com/2018/12/20/telford-boy-jimmy-owens-jailed-for-cricket-bat-murder-of-derek-whyteside/
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Pictured: Jimmy Owens, 16, has been sentenced to life in prison for murdering Derek Whyteside with a cricket bat. His identity can be revealed after the judge lifted reporting restrictions

The identity of a schoolboy who killed a devoted stepfather with a cricket bat in a row over his...

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