Man jailed for murdering child sex offender

A man has been jailed for life for the murder of a convicted paedophile in Gloucestershire.

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

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

Gardiner, 66, who pleaded guilty to murder, will serve a minimum of 20 years in prison.

Bristol Crown Court was told that Gardiner had a long history of violence and criminality, and had exploited Mr Coxon for financial gain.

Mr Coxon was found on the floor of his kitchen by one of his carers on 12 January 2022.

He was taken to hospital with facial injuries, and a scan revealed he had a bleed on the brain from a traumatic brain injury.

This led to infections and his cause of death was recorded as kidney failure.

Gardiner was arrested before Mr Coxon died after he had told others he had gone to his home and stamped on his head.

His trainers were seized and forensic tests revealed they had Mr Coxon's blood on them.

The court heard Coxon, who had Alzheimer's disease and diabetes, was a registered sex offender and this was well-known in his community.

In 2017, he breached the terms of his sexual harm prevention order by speaking with a child, who was known by Gardiner, as he passed their home.

Four years later, Coxon went to his bank accompanied by Gardiner and asked to withdraw up to £500 to give to Gardiner as a reward for finding his lost wallet.

Bank staff became suspicious and reported the incident to police, meaning no money was paid to Gardiner.

Judge Martin Picton said: "You believed Mr Coxon owed you a financial debt of gratitude.

"You knew of John Coxon's past concerning indecent images. You were aware he had got into trouble by contact with the child."

In police interview Gardiner initially denied being responsible for the assault, but later wrote a letter to police fully accepting what he had done.

Judge Picton said it was a "brutal attack" and that Gardiner knew how frail Mr Coxon was, and that he must have appreciated the risk an attack such as this carried.

"You are a highly dangerous man and there is no sign whatsoever that the passing of the years is reducing your risk to the public."

"You have not shown a shred of remorse for what you have done, rather the exact opposite," he said.

Mary Cowe, prosecuting, described how Gardiner had treated Coxon's death "as a joke" and "laughed" when talking to family members about it.

She summarised a victim personal statement from Coxon's brother, which said he had "done good things in his life" including caring for elderly relatives.

"He says he is really sad to hear how his brother had been tormented in his own home," Ms Cowe said.

Gardiner, representing himself, told the judge: "That Mr Coxon had 474 images of children on his computer. I'm glad he is dead.

"I am coming up to my 67th birthday. The only thing I have is my partner. She hasn't got no-one now."

Following the sentencing, Det Insp Adam Stacey, of Gloucestershire Police, said Gardiner had "exploited Mr Coxon for money" and later attacked him inside his own home, leaving him injured on the floor.

"He has now admitted his actions and has been sentenced for them, and he will spend a lengthy amount of time behind bars."

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