Coventry murderers who killed dad Lee Brooks with hammer as he slept to serve longer in jail after appeal - The Coventry Observer

Coventry murderers who killed dad Lee Brooks with hammer as he slept to serve longer in jail after appeal

Coventry Editorial 5th Sep, 2017   0

TWO murderers will spend longer in jail for the brutal killing of Coventry dad Lee Brooks after a successful appeal.

Stephen Weeks, 48, and Drew Thorpe, 20, have had their minimum-term life prison sentences increased to 20 years and 15 years by the Court of Appeal.

Weeks and Thorpe beat Mr Brooks as he slept with a claw hammer and spanner so severely that he died in hospital on August 31 last year.

The crime took place at Weeks’ home in Hugh Road, Stoke.




When the police arrived, Weeks tried to persuade them to go away, despite knowing Lee Brooks was severely injured upstairs with more than 20 head injuries.

Police started searching the house and Thorpe attempted to run away.


Both men denied they had intended to cause the death of Mr Brooks and blamed each other.

Weeks was sentenced to life to serve a minimum of 16 years and Thorpe to life to serve a minimum of 12 years.

The Solicitor General Robert Buckland QC MP considered this too lenient and the court agreed, imposing minimum terms of 20 years and 15 years respectively.

Speaking after the court hearing, Mr Buckland said: “The minimum terms failed to reflect the gravity of a brutal attack with weapons, which was pre-meditated and carried out by two people who the judge found had intended to kill the defenceless victim and who succeeded in their aim.

“I hope the increased sentences bring some comfort to Mr Brooks’ family.”

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