Man convicted of manslaughter after fatally attacking his grandfather
A man from Bulkington has been convicted of manslaughter after he fatally attacked his grandfather in November last year.
In November last year 33 year-old Jakob Walpole bought a bottle of vodka before 9am, spending the day drinking, going to the football.
That evening, he arrived at his grandparents’ home to demand more money. During that visit Walpole launched an attack on his then 81-year-old John Brown grandfather, striking him to the head and causing a substantial bleed to the brain.
Walpole then visited a pub when customers asked him to calm down, he went on to attack one of them, slamming his pint glass into the man’s head and then assaulting a member of staff who escorted him out.
He was initially charged with Grievous Bodily Harm (with intent), assault (ABH) and breaching a restraining order.
After Mr Brown passed away, officers launched a murder investigation, leading to the GBH charge being changed to murder.
At Warwick Crown Court, a jury found him not guilty of murder but guilty of manslaughter.
He was also convicted breaching a restraining order and, for the attacks in the working men's club, of ABH and common assault.
He is set to be sentenced on Monday, 4 August.
Detective Inspector Gareth Unett said: “John Brown was a kind, gentle, hardworking man whose loss has left a huge void in the lives of his loved ones and friends.
“Not only was he loved greatly by all those around him, he was known internationally as one of the best restorers of classic Jaguars.
“The legacy he leaves is not only in the love and generosity he showed to those around him, but also in the countless classic cars that will survive for generations more thanks to his work.
“Walpole’s attack on his grandfather, who had shown him nothing but kindness and generosity, was an act of cowardice and brutality that, in decades of policing, I struggle to find a comparison for.
“His later attack in the working men’s club only serves as further confirmation that Walpole is a danger to decent, peaceful, law-abiding people.
“Our thoughts remain with Mr Brown’s family, in what is a terribly sad case. They have shown dignity and respect in the most challenging of circumstances.
“My thanks also go to the many officers and staff from Warwickshire Police involved in piecing together all of the information so that Walpole could be held accountable for his actions.”