TWO men have today been jailed for life after they were found guilty of the murder of Lee Brooks at Warwick Crown Court.
During the early hours of August 26 last year, neighbours of Stephen Weeks contacted the police after they heard loud screams coming from the bedroom of his address.
Police arrived at his home in Hugh Road, Stoke where they found 48-year-old Weeks and 19-year-old Drew Thorpe.
The Crown Prosecution Service said today: “When questioned initially, Weeks denied that anything had happened at the address. As police began a search of the house, Thorpe fled the property, running towards his home nearby.
“Weeks told police that Lee Brooks was upstairs and was ‘in a bad way’.
“The victim was found in a bedroom suffering with severe head injuries and injuries to his body.
“In the bedroom were weapons, including a spanner and hammer.
“The police administered first aid and paramedics arrived shortly afterwards.
“Mr Brooks was taken to hospital but unfortunately died as a result of his injuries on August 31 last year.
The defendants were arrested and eventually charged with murder.
In court, both denied intent to cause the death, and blamed each other.
Weeks was sentenced to life to serve a minimum of 16 years and Thorpe to life to serve a minimum of 12 years.
Anjuli Shergill, Senior Crown Prosecutor with West Midlands Crown Prosecution Service, said: “Stephen Weeks and Drew Thorpe held a grudge against the victim and during the early hours of the morning on the date of the attack the two men had met and planned the murder.
“The attack on this defenceless man was violent and sustained. The victim ended up with severe injuries to his head from which he would later die from.
“On hearing the victim’s screams, concerned neighbours contacted the police.
“On their arrival, Weeks tried to cover up what he had done by lying to the police and Thorpe tried to run away.
“Both men have today been found guilty of murdering Mr Brooks and they will now have to deal with the consequences for their actions.
“We hope that the verdict provides some comfort to his family who throughout the proceedings have shown great dignity.”
