Norfolk: Father and son jailed for murder of estranged woman’s boyfriend | UK News

A father and son who killed a man “like a pack of animals” have been jailed for murder.

Wayne Peckham, 49, and Riley Peckham, 23, hunted down and killed Matthew Rodwell, 39, on January 23, 2022 in Downham Market, Norfolk.

Mr Rodwell was in a relationship with Wayne’s estranged wife Kerry Peckham and was making a frantic 999 call from a closet as they made their way into her home.

Prosecutor Riel Karmy-Jones said Mr Rodwell was “afraid of being found” and expressed “genuine fear” on the phone.

One recording heard him say “sorry,” but it turned out to be his last word, and a “guttural noise” followed a minute later.

Mr Rodwell had 40 “serious” injuries from being strangled, kicked, stomped and punched.

Ms Peckham said they “beat him and knocked the life out of him” and that she was injured as a result.

Police arrived at 8:05 p.m. and “screams” could be heard inside the house.

Mr Rodwell’s body was found in the hall and Wayne was arrested at the scene after initially trying to hide behind a curtain.

Riley escaped in handcuffs but was arrested a few hours later at a relative’s home.

Mr. Rodwell’s blood was found on the couple’s clothing and his DNA was under their fingernails.

The court heard Mr Rodwell moved in with Ms Peckham after she ended her “tumultuous” relationship with Wayne – the father of her three children – who was described as “rough, volatile and controlling” towards her.

The jury took 10 hours to deliberate before unanimously finding the pair guilty after a six-week trial. The couple had always denied the murder.

Judge Anthony Bate said: “Wayne had deliberately vandalized Mr Rodwell’s car, stalking him on previous occasions and setting fire to a coat Mr Rodwell had bought for Wayne’s youngest son Harvey and posted the video to Facebook.

“Riley sided with his father against Mr. Rodwell.

“Her visit [to Mr Rodwell’s house] was not a speculative social call. They suspected that Mr. Rodwell was there with Kerry and decided to do him serious harm.

“This was a brutal and sustained attack on a man inside his home and in front of her partner, who was herself injured.

“The attack was not spontaneous. Wayne Peckham’s resolution is significant.’

Wayne was jailed for 24 years and Riley for 18 years.

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