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In this episode, I tell the story of Michael Beckwith, a 44-year-old man killed in Harwich, Essex, in July 2016.
Michael was asked to meet up with 21-year-old Rebecca Ryan on July 31 to discuss their relationship, which had ended just a few days earlier.
Unbeknownst to Michael, it was nothing more than a ploy to lure him down a secluded lane, where he was met by 27-year-old Scott Swift and 17-year-old Joseph Smith and beaten with metal poles.
Michael miraculously survived the attack but sadly died in hospital two days later.
Ryan and Swift received life sentences for murder in April 2017, with Smith receiving a 12-year sentence after being found guilty of manslaughter for his role in the attack.
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Intro music:
David John Brady - 'Throw Down the Gauntlet'
davidjohnbrady.com
References:
Court hears claims a teen accused of murder was “groomed” and “tortured” two days before he killed. (2017, March 28). Clacton and Frinton Gazette. Retrieved February 26, 2024, from https://www.clactonandfrintongazette.co.uk/news/15184406.court-hears-claims-a-teen-accused-of-murder-was-groomed-and-tortured-two-days-before-he-killed/
Dalby, T. (2017, February 15). Teenager “admitted brutal attack on carer and asked girlfriend to be his alibi.” Harwich and Manningtree Standard. Retrieved February 26, 2024, from https://www.harwichandmanningtreestandard.co.uk/news/15093183.teenager-admitted-brutal-attack-on-carer-and-asked-girlfriend-to-be-his-alibi/
Donate to Give mick beckwith the send off he deserves.(n.d.). JustGiving. Retrieved February 26, 2024, from https://justgiving.com/crowdfunding/Mick-beckwith
Dwan, J. (2016, August 4). VIDEO: Grieving mum pays tribute to Michael Beckwith, 44, after police launch murder investigation in Harwich. The Argus. Retrieved February 26, 2024, from https://www.theargus.co.uk/news/14661987.VIDEO__Grieving_mum_pays_tribute_to_Michael_Beckwith__44__after_police_launch_murder_investigation_in_Harwich/
EB. (2017, April 21). The Law Pages. Retrieved February 27, 2024, from https://www.thelawpages.com/court-cases/EB-19849-1.law
Five people arrested in connection with the death of Michael Beckwith plead not guilty. (2016, September 5). Harwich and Manningtree Standard. Retrieved February 26, 2024, from https://www.harwichandmanningtreestandard.co.uk/news/14723967.five-people-arrested-in-connection-with-the-death-of-michael-beckwith-plead-not-guilty/
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Heartbroken mother died just weeks before trial into son’s death began. (2017, April 7). Harwich and Manningtree Standard. Retrieved February 26, 2024, from https://www.harwichandmanningtreestandard.co.uk/news/15211038.heartbroken-mother-died-just-weeks-before-trial-into-sons-death-began/
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Joseph Smith. (2017, April 21). The Law Pages. Retrieved February 22, 2024, from https://www.thelawpages.com/court-cases/Joseph-Smith-19846-1.law
Killer Rebecca Ryan claimed her 17-year sentence was too harsh. (2018, October 31). Gazette. Retrieved February 26, 2024, from https://www.gazette-news.co.uk/news/17189235.killer-rebecca-ryan-claimed-17-year-sentence-harsh
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Murder accused “said he was a psychopath” and had an “obsession with guns.” (2017, February 16). Harwich and Manningtree Standard. Retrieved February 26, 2024, from https://www.harwichandmanningtreestandard.co.uk/news/15095029.murder-accused-said-he-was-a-psychopath-and-had-an-obsession-with-guns/
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Perry, S. (2016, February 10). Attack victim survived long enough to talk to police about assault, court told. East Anglian Daily Times. Retrieved February 22, 2024, from https://www.eadt.co.uk/news/21559491.attack-victim-survived-long-enough-talk-police-assault-court-told/
Perry, S. (2017, March 13). Former boyfriend of murder accused denies role in ‘jealousy’ killing in Harwich, trial hears. East Anglian Daily Times. Retrieved February 22, 2024, from https://www.eadt.co.uk/news/21550259.former-boyfriend-murder-accused-denies-role-jealousy-killing-harwich-trial-hears/
Rebecca Louise Ryan. (2017, April 21). The Law Pages. Retrieved February 22, 2024, from https://www.thelawpages.com/court-cases/Rebecca-Louise-Ryan-19847-1.law
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