Man killed abattoir colleague while high on drugs

A young man with short dark hair and a short dark beard, standing in front of a brick wall and smiling at the camera. He is wearing sunglasses and a white Vans t-shirt under a blue tracksuit jacket and has a chain around his neck.Image source, Warwickshire Police
Image caption,

James Bosworth's family described him as "a joy and a treasure"

  • Published

A man murdered his abattoir worker colleague while on drugs.

Stuart Baker, 43, killed 21-year-old James Bosworth at an on-site caravan where he lived while working at the in site Rouncil Lane, Kenilworth, on 20 December.

Baker attacked Mr Bosworth and then went to another colleague's door, telling him there was blood everywhere and to call the police. Officers found Mr Bosworth dead on the floor with what they described as catastrophic injuries.

Baker pleaded guilty to murder and possession of cocaine at Warwick Crown Court and was jailed on Friday. He was given a life sentence and will serve a minimum of 17 and a half years.

A police mugshot of a man with short dark grey hair and short grey stubble, wearing a grey sweatshirt sitting against a grey background. He appears to have an injury to his nose.Image source, Warwickshire Police
Image caption,

Stuart Baker will serve a minimum of 17 and a half years

Warwickshire Police said Baker, from Somerton, Somerset, had spent the latter part of the afternoon in his caravan with Mr Bosworth, who was from Nottingham.

They later found wraps of cocaine in Baker's pockets.

'A brilliant son'

Mr Bosworth's family previously paid tribute to him saying he was "a joy and a treasure who lives on in spirit and in the hearts of his family, friends, and those blessed to know him".

Det Insp Gareth Unett said: "Baker's drug-induced, drink-fuelled attack was without sense or reason.

"Throughout the investigation he has failed to explain his actions or provide answers as to why James was so brutally taken from his family in this way."

He added that he hoped the sentence provided some comfort to Mr Bosworth's family.

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