Dartmoor tent killer jailed for man's death

A man has been jailed for six-and-a-half years for attacking a man and causing head injuries which resulted in his death.

Alan Perrin, 57, of no fixed abode, previously pleaded guilty to manslaughter. Exeter Crown Court heard he assaulted David Armstrong, 42, after he became sexually involved with a woman Perrin had previously had a relationship with.

The court was told Perrin became angry when they flirted and became intimate, and attacked Mr Armstrong on three occasions in as many days in the garden of her home, in Moretonhampstead, Dartmoor, where they slept in a tent.

Mr Armstrong, from Newcastle-upon-Tyne, died in a Plymouth hospital eight days after the final assault, in August 2023.

Exeter Crown Court heard Mr Armstrong had met the woman online some years before.

It heard the woman had been in a previous relationship with Perrin and he became jealous when Mr Armstrong and the woman became sexually involved.

The court was told that on the final assault, Perrin hit him in the head and face about five times. In hospital, his condition deteriorated as he suffered a bleed on the brain and later died, the court heard.

Devon and Cornwall Police said a forensic post-mortem revealed his death had been caused by "multiple organ failure with complicating right-sided subdural haematoma".

Judge Mr Justice Bright said it was "an appalling crime" but Perrin did not set out to cause the victim really serious harm.

He said Perrin was "stewing with rage for several days" and later boasted to a stranger in a pub that he was facing a murder charge.

The Crown accepted the manslaughter charge.

The court heard he had spent about 400 days on remand and he would only spend just over two years in jail before being eligible for release.

Det Insp Dave Egan said: “Alan Perrin’s actions on the days leading up to Mr Armstrong being taken to hospital tragically led to the death of the father of two.

“I would like to pay tribute to Mr Armstrong’s family and thank the witnesses for coming forward which helped us piece together the events."

Mr Armstrong’s family said: "David was a fun, loving and caring man. He was a father of two and was adored by all his family members. We will miss him dearly and will cherish his memory forever.”

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