Police admit failing to catch handyman killer whose victim called 999 before being beaten to death

Police have admitted failing to catch a handyman who threatened his victim before returning and beating him to death over a £40 payment.

Sussex Police described the events surrounding the murder of Alan Creasey as “tragically unfortunate” after his killer was jailed for a minimum of 21 years.

Duncan Hearsey visited his 52-year-old victim’s home in Lancing on the evening of 29 May, demanding £40 for gardening work he claimed to have carried out.

Mr Creasey dialled 999 at 8.15pm to report an unknown man had threatened him, with police responding to find him with an arm injury from the altercation.

The officers advised Mr Creasey to lock his doors before leaving to investigate earlier reports of a drunk and disorderly man that matched Hearsey’s description at a kebab shop and two pubs.

Police had been en-route to the businesses when they were diverted to a man suffering from cardiac arrest at Lancing Railway Station, which took place before Mr Creasey dialled 999.

Officers searched for Hearsey after leaving his bungalow but did not find the 44-year-old suspect and when the officers returned at 9.10pm to take a full statement, they found Mr Creasey “unresponsive” and lying face-down on the floor, with the rear patio doors wife open.

Paramedics were called and he was taken to hospital, where he died of his injuries the following morning.

Hearsey, of Harbour Road in Shoreham, admitted inflicting the injuries, but claimed he acted in self-defence after Mr Creasey allegedly threatened him with a paint stripping knife.

He was found guilty of murder by a majority of 10 to two at Lewes Crown Court following a two-week trial and was jailed for a minimum of 21 years on Wednesday.

Detective Chief Inspector Till Sanderson said Mr Creasey’s injuries showed he had been repeatedly kicked and stamped on in a “relentless” attack that could not be justified by self-defence.

“While Hearsey may not have set out that day with the intention of killing Mr Creasey, it is undeniable that the brutal injuries he inflicted led to his death,” he added. “He now faces the consequences of his actions.”

After piecing together CCTV showing Hearsey’s movements around the town, police concluded he carried out the deadly attack between 8.30pm and 9.10pm.

“This is between the time we left Mr Creasey’s address to continue enquiries in the town and search for Hearsey, and the time we returned to Mr Creasey’s address to carry out a welfare check,” Mr Sanderson said.

“It is tragically unfortunate that we were unable to trace Hearsey before he killed his victim, however we cannot be certain that we would have caught him had we responded immediately to the earlier reports of disturbance in the town.

“Our officers’ attention was diverted to a medical emergency, which was considered a higher priority given the circumstances and information made available to us at the time.

“What happened to Mr Creasey was tragic, and our thoughts remain with his family and friends.”

CCTV footage from after the attack showed Hearsey returning home on his distinctive white mountain bike at around 9.30pm, telling a neighbour he had been involved in a “punch-up”.

Later in the evening, he was seen wandering the streets and shadow-boxing, carrying his blood-stained jeans and hanging them in a tree.

Police arrested Hearsey on suspicion of attempted murder at his home shortly before 6am the following morning, upgrading the charge to murder after Mr Creasey was pronounced dead half an hour later in hospital.

Forensic examination of Hearsey’s jeans found they were stained with his victim’s blood.

The incident was referred to the Independent Police Complaints Commission but it returned the investigation into the circumstances of Mr Creasey’s death to Sussex Police.

Following the trial, Detective Constable Scott Elmer was awarded a judge’s commendation for his preparation of the case and presentation of evidence.