Man guilty of 'senseless' murder of 75-year-old

A man who violently assaulted an elderly man, in what police described as a "senseless and unprovoked" attack, has pleaded guilty to his murder.

Dorset Police said Jake Saunders, from Weymouth, attacked 75-year-old Anthony Jacob, after he had challenged Saunders for damaging a parked van on a residential street in the Dorset town in December.

The 19-year-old pleaded guilty to murder during a hearing at Bournemouth Crown Court.

Saunders also pleaded guilty to three counts of assault by beating of an emergency worker and two counts of criminal damage.

Dorset Police said Saunders was seen by Mr Jacob damaging a VW Transporter Van parked on a driveway in Abbotsbury Road at about 20:00 GMT on 10 December.

When challenged by Mr Jacob, Saunders assaulted him, knocking him to the floor before repeatedly kicking and stamping on his head.

The two men did not know each other, police said.

Saunders reportedly left the scene shortly afterwards, before being located by police and arrested in nearby Newstead Road.

While in custody, Saunders assaulted three police officers.

Mr Jacob, also known as Jake, was taken to hospital for treatment to serious head and facial injuries. He died on 19 December.

In a tribute, Mr Jacob's family said the "beloved dad, grandad and brother" would be "remembered, forever missed and loved always".

"He was well known and highly respected in the town, where he lived all his life, and his kindness left a mark on all who had the privilege of knowing him," they added.

Det ch insp Neil Third, said the 75-year-old's "sad death" came "as a result of a senseless and unprovoked attack".

"Anthony tried to reason with Jake Saunders when he observed him damaging someone else's property and his selfless act of bravery and public duty cost him his life," Mr Third said.

Saunders is due to be sentenced at Bournemouth Crown Court on 19 May.

You can follow BBC Dorset on Facebook, X (Twitter), or Instagram.