Man admits murdering convicted child sex offender

A 66-year-old man has admitted murdering a convicted paedophile.

Anthony Gardiner, previously of Daniels Road, Stroud, attacked John Coxon, 76, at his home address in Park Road, Stonehouse, in January 2022.

Coxon, who had several convictions for child sexual offences and served a year in prison in 2016, sustained a head injury in the incident and remained in hospital until his death two months later.

During a hearing at Bristol Crown Court on Thursday, Gardiner pleaded guilty to murder and was remanded into custody to be sentenced on 17 January.

Det Insp Adam Stacey said Gardiner had been originally arrested on suspicion of causing grievous bodily harm.

"When he died in hospital months later, we launched a murder investigation and then re-arrested Gardiner."

He added he welcomed the guilty plea, which meant Coxon's family did "not have to go through the process of a trial".

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