This is the first photo of a murderer facing life behind bars for forcibly driving a blade into the “peacekeeper’s” chest in front of an Asda store. Father Brian Willington viciously attacked his friend Martin Latham in a parking lot at a Black Country supermarket, stabbing him at least eight times with “absolute ferocity.”
The 33-year-old swallowed a “cocktail” of drinks and drugs – including four bottles of strong beer, a bottle of wine and a small bottle of Southern Comfort – before “losing his temper” in Heath Town, Wolverhampton. He now faces a long prison term for the murder of Mr Latham’s grandfather, who was just 41 when he died last year.
This comes after jurors in the Wolverhampton court yesterday convicted him of murder and possession of an item with a blade or tip in the Wolverhampton Road store. He will know his fate when he receives the verdict in court on May 12.
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Mr. Latham’s family paid tribute to him and said, “As a family, we are all really devastated by Martin’s death. Our lives will never be the same again.” Alcoholics Willington has denied the allegations, saying there is “no memory” of him holding the murder weapon or using it to hit his victim on September 6 last year.
But jurors rejected his version of events after discussing three hours and 21 minutes. During the trial, they heard Willington and Mr. Latham, who know each other, spend time with others in an apartment on Grove Street on the day of the murder.
Brian Willington (Image: WMP)
Later that evening, a “significant collision” broke out between Willington and a man in front of the Asda store at around 9:15 p.m. Mr Latham intervened before “anticipating problems” and taking up a boxing position as he faced Willington.
Strikes were exchanged, and Willington fell to the ground, but he managed to get to his feet. He walked over to his victim, reached behind his right thigh, and pulled out a knife to stab his victim.
Police received a number of 999 calls for the ordeal as Willington, Hawkeye Close, and Wolverhampton fled the scene. He was tracked down by officers and arrested three hours later.
The jury’s verdict marks the end of a seven-month investigation by detectives and forensic scientists. Detective Inspector Adam Jobson of Force CID said: “Martin was 41 when he died. His life ended too early.
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“He had so much to live on and much more to give. His death left his family and friends devastated. They will never overcome the shock of what happened.
“From our call managers, who responded quickly to 999 calls and sent staff to help, to teams of forensic scientists looking for evidence, West Midlands police officers worked around the clock to secure Brian Willington’s sentence. We must also thank the people who helped Martin in his last moments, as well as those who helped our investigation by providing statements.
“I hope Martin’s family finds some peace of mind, knowing that the man who took their son, brother, uncle, father and grandfather will now pay the price. Our thoughts remain with them.” Attorney Michael Duck QC told the trial that the beatings were inflicted by Willington with such “heavy force” that Mr. Latham eventually collapsed in the parking lot after losing so much blood.
The blood loss was so “significant” that it could be seen smeared all over the parking lot as a wound went straight through his heart. Speaking to the jury, Mr Duck said: “Mr Latham has tried to intervene and stop this quarrel.
Martin Latham (Image: WMP)
“Tragically, when Mr. Latham intervened, Willington turned his attention to Mr. Latham, and for a moment this man was killed in a violent quarrel.” We say that he had the knife during this process, and when he received the weapon, he lost nerves and decided he would handle Mr. Latham, he pulled out a knife and used it in a horrible way.
“There is no explanation or excuse for what he did. He lost his temper, stabbed a man eight times in the chest, which caused the inevitable death.”
The prosecutor added: “It is clear as day,” says the prosecution, that Mr Latham was nothing but a peacemaker. The two men are separated.
“Within seconds of the split, there must have been some exchange between Mr Latham and Mr Willington, and Willington turned his attention to Mr Latham. The two men stood face to face, a battle broke out, others were apparently trying to make them give up.
“The battle lasted a few seconds. Mr. Latham struck a blow that knocked Willington to the ground. Willington stood up from that blow, and then the attack happened.”
Willington went up to the witness box during the trial and insisted that he had never carried knives and could not remember hitting the victim in the parking lot. Testifying, he said he had no recollection of holding the murder weapon at the scene and of “defending himself” from a group attack when he fought Mr Latham.
Asked if he remembered having a knife at the scene, he said: “I don’t remember that at all. I don’t carry knives.” The court heard that Willington, who was limping, had suffered from mental health problems for many years and had attempted suicide at least 20 times.
He told jurors he would sell his prescription drugs to Mr Latham in exchange for money or drug mamba. Mr Latham, who lived on Ward Street, Ettingchal, received eight stab wounds to his chest, including three at least 10 cm deep.
Paramedics “took drastic action” to try to save his life before taking him to New Cross Hospital in Wolverhampton. Unfortunately, he was pronounced dead at 10:45 p.m. Police searched the home Willington shared with his partner on December 3 and found that a blue-handled knife was missing from a block of kitchen blades.
But Mr Duck told the jury that the prosecution could not say for sure whether the missing knife was the weapon used in the “vicious and fierce attack”. The court heard that Willington was often seen with his dog in the area, including near the Crossways shopping center – which is close to the Asda store.
He “volunteered for a cocktail of drinks and drugs” before the attack, which included four bottles of strong beer, a bottle of wine and a small bottle of Southern Comfort. Mr Duck said: “He wanted to fight.
“What he did was strike blows that are inflicted with absolute ferocity. They are not blows.” Mr Duck added: “Willington, for some reason he was inclined to, lost his temper.
“When he lost his temper, he attacked Mr Latham, who until seconds before had done nothing but try to protect him. He did not warn Mr Latham of his intentions, but rather used the weapon to strike hard on his chest, over and over again. “
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