Robber who murdered grandfather as he tried to hold onto his wallet is jailed for life

A robber who killed a grandfather who tried to hold onto his wallet and pin number has been jailed for life for his murder.

Paul Warren, 25, attacked 54-year-old Martin Brown as he walked home from a grocery shop in Swindon on 27 January last year.

The victim, chosen at random, was found seriously injured in the street after the attack - and died in hospital 11 days later.

Warren, of Victoria Road, Swindon, pleaded guilty to murder earlier this month and was sentenced to life with a minimum term of 20 years at Bristol Crown Court on Friday.

Mr Brown was repeatedly punched in the head until he handed over his wallet and provided the PIN to his bank card, Bristol Crown Court heard.

He had chosen to make the trip home on foot after missing his bus.

Several hours after he was left in the street, an off-duty paramedic spotted him on his way to work and took him in his own vehicle to hospital.

Warren was initially charged with robbery which he pleaded guilty to at an earlier hearing.

Earlier this month, he appeared in court again, charged with murder and entered another guilty plea.

In addition to his sentence for murder, he was also given a minimum term of four years for robbery, which will run concurrently.

After the case, Wiltshire Police released footage showing Warren walking alongside Martin as he walked home with his shopping trolley.

A further clip shows Warren at the pub where he went after robbing Martin of his bank card and buying himself a pint.

In a personal impact statement provided to the court, Martin’s sister Gail said her family will never be the same following the horrific events that unfolded last year.

She said: “Martin was a good man, very popular with lots of friends and always the joker. He was proud of his children and loved his grandchildren, often sending me pictures of them. He had lots to live for, but he was taken from us too soon.

In a tribute to her dad, Martin’s daughter Natalie added: “Words can’t describe the hole this has left in all of our hearts and he will forever be remembered for his kind nature. He is deeply missed by everyone who knew and adored him.”

Speaking after the hearing, Det Chief Insp Phil Walker said: “This was a completely random attack and Warren’s actions were totally cowardly – he has devastated a family and all of those who knew Martin.”