Man jailed for life for 'horrific, brutal' attack

Timothy Tinson will serve a minimum term of 18 years

A man has been jailed for life after admitting killing a man in a "horrific, brutal" attack in Beverley town centre earlier this year.

Matthew Phillips, 44, died from head injuries after being punched to the ground and repeatedly stamped on, Hull Crown Court heard.

CCTV footage showed Timothy Tinson, 43, arguing with Mr Phillips on Lairgate in the early hours of 4 January and knocking him out before attacking him as he lay defenceless on the road.

After his arrest, Tinson was seen on a police bodycam saying: "I'm a murderer, don't feel bad about it," prosecutor Samuel Green KC said.

Mr Green told the court that Mr Phillips and Tinson were acquaintances who had fallen out.

Security cameras showed them having repeated altercations around Beverley before the fatal attack.

Despite the efforts of a first aider from a nearby bar and paramedics, Mr Phillips was declared dead at hospital a short time later.

The prosecution said the cause of death was blunt force trauma causing bleeding in the brain then cardiac arrest, with the pathologist concluding that "the stamps on the head contributed to death".

In an impact statement, the victim's eldest sister told the court that her brother's killing had left the family "empty and broken".

She said the family were haunted by the fact that Mr Phillips "died alone and scared" in a "horrific, brutal" attack.

"You chose to take my brother's life in a distressing, senseless, incomprehensible way," she said.

"I should never have had to write a eulogy for my little brother."

Matthew Phillips died after being found injured in Lairgate, Beverley, on 4 January

Tinson, of Lairgate in Beverley, pleaded guilty to murder on the first day of his trial and was given life imprisonment, with a minimum term of 18 years.

Passing sentence, Judge John Thackray KC described it as a "severe and sustained attack".

He added that although the assault took place during a dispute between the two men "I am satisfied that Matthew Phillips was not a threat to you".

"With all of your might you proceeded to stamp on his head," the judge said.

"Matthew Phillips did not deserve to die, he did not deserve to die such a violent death."

Humberside Police said due to prior police contact with Tinson and Mr Phillips the force referred itself to the Independent Office for Police Conduct.

The investigation is active, but was paused pending the conclusion of the trial.

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