Street attack killer jailed for at least 22 years

A "monster" who "viciously attacked" a vulnerable man in the early hours of the morning has been told he will spend more than 20 years behind bars.

Lancashire Police said Keith Thompson was assaulted in Heysham at about 04:00 BST on 28 September 2024. The 49-year-old, from Morecambe, later died in hospital.

On the seventh day of his murder trial at Preston Crown Court, 39-year-old Leigh Smith from Lancaster admitted attacking Mr Thompson near the Bay Medical Centre on Heysham Road.

Passing sentence, Mr Justice Bright told Smith he would have to serve a minimum of 22 years and 177 days in prison.

The court heard Smith assaulted Mr Thompson by kicking, hitting and punching him repeatedly.

The first police officer on the scene found the victim, who did not appear to be breathing, slumped against a wall.

Police, paramedics and hospital staff all battled to save the 49-year-old, but he was pronounced dead at 05:55 BST.

A post-mortem examination found he died as the result of blunt force trauma to the head.

Smith, of Binyon Court in Lancaster, was arrested and later charged with murder.

"I am devastated and utterly heartbroken," said Mr Thompson's mother Nancy in a victim impact statement.

"That man has taken away such a loving son."

His daughter Alisha said: "I just can't stop thinking of my dad suffering at the hands of that monster who killed him.

"My future children now won't have a grandad."

Det Ch Insp John McNamara said: "When Smith attacked Keith on the morning of his death, he did so with prolonged and extreme violence.

"While no sentence can ever make up for the taking of a life, I do hope Keith's family can gain some degree of closure and I hope they feel some relief knowing that Smith will be in prison for a considerable length of his life."

Listen to the best of BBC Radio Lancashire on BBC Sounds and follow BBC Lancashire on Facebook, X and Instagram and watch BBC North West Tonight on BBC iPlayer.