Killer who left homeless man dying in park jailed
Northumbria PoliceA murderer who beat and kicked a homeless man to death in a park has been jailed for at least 19 years.
Craig Curry, 33, attacked Neil Selkirk, 54, in Gateshead and left him to die with his trousers pulled down to cause extra humiliation, Newcastle Crown Court heard.
Mr Selkirk's family said they were "devastated" by his death and he was in the process of rebuilding his life when he was brutally killed.
Curry had denied murder but was found guilty by jurors. He was jailed for life with a minimum term.
Mr Selkirk had been living in a small park off Prince Consort Road since 2 August after the breakdown of his relationship with his partner of almost 10 years, the court heard.
He was given a tent by another rough sleeper, Judge Nathan Adams said, adding Mr Selkirk "caused no problems for anyone" and was "liked by the local residents, some of whom gave him food and bedding".
Family handoutOn 23 August, Curry arrived and pitched his tent, with the men initially getting on, the court heard.
Judge Adams said Curry was much bigger in stature than Mr Selkirk and was "louder and opiniated".
But they fell out over a phone charger and on the night of 24 August, Curry viciously attacked Mr Selkirk, repeatedly punching him in the face before kicking and stamping on him after he fell to the ground.
Judge Adams said Curry and another man, who was cleared of both murder and manslaughter, left the park and made no efforts to help Mr Selkirk, who was left lying unconscious near a footpath.
'Totally devastated'
Curry also pulled Mr Selkirk's trousers down, with Judge Adams saying he did it to "further humiliate" the victim.
The judge said early medical assistance would "probably have saved [Mr Selkirk's] life" but he drowned in his own blood after being left lying face down.
Mr Selkirk was found to have suffered multiple fractures to his ribs, neck and face.
In statements read to the court, his family said he had been tackling his drinking issues and they were sure he would have rebuilt his life.
They said they were "totally devastated" by his death.
The court heard Curry, of no fixed abode, had a history of violent offending, including attacking a restaurant owner with a hockey stick and making threats to an ex-girlfriend.