THREE men have been sentenced to a total of 59 years behind bars after killing a Nuneaton man and stealing his bank cards.
Mark Hoverd was brought to hospital on September 3 by officers with several injuries – including a serious head injury – and died on the same day.
After an investigation which included watching thousands of hours of CCTV, officers saw the three men had gone to Marks house.
The victim was attacked and left in his own home and the men stole his bank cards and used them to withdraw money from a nearby cashpoint.
Francis Olner, 36, Aleksandrs Gudkovs, 43, and Stuart Grant, 42, were arrested and when questioned gave conflicting stories blaming one another.
After a three week trial at Coventry Crown Court, Olner was found guilty of murder.
Gudkovs and Grant were found guilty of manslaughter, and all three were found guilty of conspiracy to commit robbery and had previously admitted five counts of fraud charges.
On (March, 27) the three were sentenced.
Olner, of Manor Court Road, Nuneaton was given a life sentence for murder to serve a minimum term of 28 years in prison.
He was given 11 years for conspiracy to rob and 32 months for fraud – both of which will run concurrently to the murder sentence.
Gudkovs, formerly of Coton Road, Nuneaton, was jailed for 15-and-a-half years for manslaughter.
He will also serve 11 years for conspiracy to rob, and two years and three months for the fraud charges concurrently to the manslaughter sentence.
Grant, of no fixed address, received the same sentence as Gudkovs – 15-and-a-half years for manslaughter plus 11 years for conspiracy to rob, and two years and three months for fraud charges all to be served concurrently to the manslaughter sentence.
Senior investigating officer, detective chief inspector Collette O’Keefe said: “This was a horrendously senseless and violent assault on a vulnerable man.
“Even now it’s not truly clear why they chose to set on Mark in his home – beating him savagely and leaving him for dead.
“To then have the temerity to take his bank cards and withdraw cash makes what was already a heinous crime even more reprehensible.
“Not only was the attack pre-meditated, ultimately, it resulted in them taking the life of a vulnerable man, which is utterly devastating for Mark’s family.
“Mark did nothing to deserve this and none of the defendants have taken any responsibility nor have they shown any remorse since it happened.
“I’m delighted with today’s outcome and the fact the jury saw through the lies of Olner, Gudkovs, and Grant.
“Their act of extreme violence will have devastating long-term consequences for Mark’s family and partner, and our thoughts remain with them at this challenging time.
“I hope this verdict brings them some comfort as they continue to come to terms with their tragic loss.”
