Three jailed for killing man over £100 drug debt

Jason Frow (left), Jordan Hartley (middle) and Louis Giles (right) pleaded guilty to manslaughter

Three men who killed an "entirely innocent man" during a row over a £100 drug debt have been jailed.

Marc Glasscoe, 46, died two days after he was attacked at a flat in Frank Swaby Court, Lincoln, where he had gone to the aid of a female friend who was being pressured to pay the debt.

Jason Frow, 31, of Frank Swaby Court, Lincoln, Louis Giles, 33, of Blackfriars Court, Lincoln, and Jordan Hartley, 32, of Ash Grove, North Hykeham, all pleaded guilty to the manslaughter of Mr Glasscoe on 16 June.

Hartley was jailed for seven-and-a-half years, while Frow and Giles were sentenced to six years and nine months imprisonment at Lincoln Crown Court.

Mr Glasscoe went to Frow's home in Frank Swaby Court with his friend, who was being pressured to pay back the £100, on the afternoon of 14 June, Lincoln Crown Court heard.

Judge Simon Hirst said Hartley had sent a number of threatening messages culminating with a threat to "smash them" that morning.

Michael Duck KC, prosecuting, said: "He [Mr Hartley] acknowledges he threw a punch at Mr Glasscoe and threw him with force to the ground.

"This attack was conducted by Mr Hartley, but Mr Giles and Mr Frow were present at the property, there to encourage or assist Mr Hartley if necessary."

Mr Glasscoe was a slight man who weighed under nine stone and was in "no position to defend himself", Mr Duck said.

Marc Glasscoe died two days after he was attacked at a flat in Frank Swaby Court

A neighbour saw Giles take Mr Glasscoe out of the flat and leave him against a garage door at about 16:00 BST.

She called police half an hour later when she realised he was still there.

He was taken to Lincoln County Hospital but died on 16 June after suffering a brain injury and fractured ribs.

Police investigations revealed that attempts were made to use Mr Glasscoe's bank card a short time after the attack.

'Innocent victim'

In a victim impact statement, Mr Glasscoe's mother, Marie Glasscoe, said: "Marc was my first born, so very special to me."

A statement from Mr Glasscoe's daughter, Bethany Glasscoe, was also read in court.

She described him as the "best dad ever" and said: "No one can imagine losing a dad like I did. It isn't fair."

Dermot Keating KC, defending Hartley, said he acknowledged Mr Glasscoe was an entirely innocent victim.

Judge Hirst said it may be some small comfort to Mr Glasscoe's family that his last act was to help someone else.

Lead investigator, Det Insp Andy McWatt, said: “This has been a very complex investigation, with challenges right from the start in unpicking the actions and motivations of Marc’s killers.

"The family have conducted themselves with dignity throughout this trial, and I would like to commend them, and I hope that they can now start to move forwards."

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