Methadone addict jailed for ‘brutal and senseless’ killing

A METHADONE addict has been jailed indefinitely with a minimum term of 15 years for the “brutal and senseless” killing of a drinking partner.

Benjamin Scott, 32, stabbed his neighbour Gary Beech, 44, at least 120 times in the head, face and back, leaving him to bleed to death.

South Yorkshire Police said afterwards it was one of the worst cases they had ever dealt with.

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While on remand charged with the murder of Mr Beech, Scott then attacked an inmate at Doncaster Prison with a makeshift knife fashioned from a toothbrush and razor, causing him cuts to the neck.

Sheffield Crown Court heard that psychiatrists found Scott was suffering from a personality disorder and became angry when social services told him not to return to the home he shared with his partner and four children.

Scott, of Batemoor, Sheffield, pleaded not guilty to the murder of father-of-two Mr Beech but guilty to manslaughter on the grounds of diminished responsibility.

He also admitted wounding Daniel Clarke with intent a month later.

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Mr Justice Openshaw said while sentencing Scott: “He presents a very significant risk of serious harm to the public which will be present for the foreseeable future.

“He appears to be a highly dangerous individual.”

He said a life term would be inappropriate but gave him an indeterminate sentence for public protection and went on: “He has never shown the slightest regret or remorse for what he has done, although it may be a consequence of his condition.”

Peter Moulson QC, prosecuting, said Scott, who lived in the same street as the victim, killed Mr Beech in the early hours of June 24 last year.

Scott had been in a relationship for 14 years with Amy Perrin and they had four children but, eight days before the tragedy, social services barred him from the family home.

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He was so angry he had to be escorted from the flat and moved 400 yards away from Mr Beech, whom he had only known for two to three weeks.

Mr Moulson said Mr Beech had been seen with Scott buying alcohol the evening before he was killed.

Later that morning, Scott rang his girlfriend and told her he had “done something bad and was going to get a long time for it.”

Over drinks in a pub Scott admitted he had stabbed Mr Beech. He said there had been “mickey-taking” and Mr Beech had hit him with a bag of frozen chips.

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His girlfriend called the police and Scott was later arrested at home. Mr Beech’s body was found in his flat in a pool of blood.

Maura McGowan QC, defending, said Scott was being prescribed five times the normal level of methadone given to addicts.

After the hearing Detective Chief Inspector Zaf Ali said: “It has been one of the most horrific matters we have ever had to deal with due to the level of violence and severity of the injuries.”

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