Friend 'brutally killed' over missing bank card

Two men "brutally attacked and killed" a friend after wrongly accusing him of stealing a bank card.

Jonathan Hutty, 49, was "violently assaulted" and found with a severe head injury inside a flat in Padstow House, in Hull, on 24 February. He died in hospital 16 days later from his injuries, Humberside Police said.

Ian Smalley, who admitted murder, and Gavin Leaning, who was found guilty of manslaughter by a jury following a four-week trial, are due to be sentenced on 11 December at Hull Crown Court.

A third man, Leon Smith, 23, of Grasby Road, Hull, denied murder and manslaughter and was cleared of both charges by the same jury.

Humberside Police said two weeks before the attack Smalley, 54, reported to the bank that his account card was missing and he wrongly suspected it had been stolen by Mr Hutty.

Witnesses claimed Smalley was agitated by the missing bank card on the night of the attack.

Det Ch Insp Ben Robinson, who led the force's investigation, said all three defendants were caught on CCTV going into a lift to Mr Hutty's flat, where the victim was fatally attacked and had been left "for dead".

Mr Hutty had been "kicked, stamped and punched" during the time Leaning, Smalley and Mr Smith were in his flat, said the detective.

He was later found on the floor with a serious head injury by a friend, who called emergency services.

“The callous and inexcusable actions committed by these men have left Jonathan’s family without a brother," said Mr Robinson.

“Due to the accusation over a missing bank card, Smalley and Leaning, went to Jonathan’s flat with one intention – to cause him serious harm.

"Jonathan was killed by people he knew and trusted and regarded as his friends, having done nothing to warrant the brutal attack inflicted upon him."

Mr Hutty's blood was found on Smalley and Leaning’s footwear, as well as Smalley’s jeans.

Officers also recovered text messages sent by Smalley, in which he admitted killing his friend.

All three were initially arrested on suspicion of grievous bodily harm but later charged with murder following the 49-year-old's death.

Smalley, of Hutt Street, Hull, had denied murder but admitted the charge when he changed his plea two days into the trial.

Leaning, 51, of Padstow House, Hull, denied murder and manslaughter but was convicted of the latter charge on Tuesday.

Mr Robinson said the post-mortem examination concluded the cause of death was "a severe head injury, likely as a result of an assault".

“Whilst we welcome the outcome, we recognise nothing can reverse the horrendous actions committed by Smalley and Leaning or take away the heartache and pain Jonathan’s family have to live with for the rest of their lives."

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