Neighbour convicted of murdering man who collapsed on doorstep

George Dunn, who was known as “Jock” to his family and friends, died from multiple stab wounds following the attack in a flat in Herringthorpe, Rotherham.

Mark Stocks, 40, who lived at the property in Greenfield Road, was arrested at the scene by police officers and later charged with murder.

A jury at Sheffield Crown Court yesterday found Stocks guilty of murder after he denied the charge.

Donna Haylock, 45, from the same address, also stood trial charged with Mr Dunn’s murder and perverting the course of justice.

The jury found Haylock not guilty of murder but she was convicted for perverting the course of justice.

Police officers and paramedics were called to the property when a neighbour raised the alarm after Mr Dunn had stumbled from Stocks’s flat and collapsed on their doorstep.

Police discovered the murder weapon in the bathroom of the property following the attack which happened at around 10pm on May 23.

During the trial the court heard that Stocks had claimed he was defending himself.

Detective Superintendent David Barraclough, who led the murder investigation for South Yorkshire Police, said after the trial: “This was a sustained and violent attack which was the result of a dispute, the exact cause of which remains unclear.

“The alarm was raised by a neighbour after Mr Dunn had stumbled from the scene and collapsed on their doorstep.

“Once officers gained entry to Stocks’ flat they discovered the murder weapon in the bathroom and a large amount of blood in the property.

“Despite this evidence, Stocks claimed self defence.”

Stocks and Haylock are both due to be sentenced at Sheffield Crown Court on Thursday next week.