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Murderer who burned clothes after fatal attack jailed

Norfolk Police Police body-worn footage of Martin Montgomery outside a building in an alleyway. He is wearing a hoodie and looking up.Norfolk Police
Martin Montgomery was trying to burn the clothes he was wearing when he was arrested

A murderer who killed a man by kicking him in the face and was arrested while trying to burn his own clothes has been given a life sentence.

Martin Montgomery, 32, attacked Nigel Mazs, 59, in a row over drug-taking outside his home in Great Yarmouth, Norfolk, causing him to hit his head on concrete.

Judge Alice Robinson said Montgomery showed "no genuine remorse" for the attack and told him he must serve a minimum of 12 years in prison.

He had previously admitted manslaughter but was convicted of murder following a nine-day trial at Norwich Crown Court.

Norfolk Police Nigel Mazs standing on a beach on a hot day smiling with his shirt open. Norfolk Police
Nigel Mazs' family said losing him had been "heartbreaking"

The attack happened at a communal stairwell in a block of flats at Malakoff Close, Great Yarmouth, on 22 December last year.

Montgomery kicked Mr Mazs as he bent over, with the subsequent fall causing a brain haemorrhage.

Mr Mazs was taken to the James Paget University Hospital in Gorleston, then transferred to Addenbrooke’s Hospital in Cambridge and placed in an induced coma.

He never regained consciousness and died on 4 January.

Norfolk Police A police mugshot of Martin Montgomery. He has short brown hair and is wearing a t-shirt.Norfolk Police
Montgomery had "taken exception" to the victim's drug taking, police said

Montgomery was burning the clothes he wore during the attack on a barbecue when police arrived and could be heard saying to officers "fair enough” when arrested.

William Carter, prosecuting, read a statement on behalf of Mr Mazs' family and said the father, grandfather and brother was "not aggressive in his nature".

He continued: "Substances was his way of escapism from the abuse he received from our parents.

"We are drowning in the pain of the violence of his death."

Judge Alice Robinson said Mr Mazs "had a problem with drink and drugs but didn't deserve to die".

She told Montgomery: "He had done nothing to you."

Defence barrister John Morgans said Montgomery was sorry for "the tragic consequences in that thoughtless moment".

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