Man jailed in connection with death of Northumberland man
A man has been jailed for the role he played following the death of Northumberland man Andrew Peart.
A man has been jailed for the role he played following the death of Northumberland man Andrew Peart.
On August 23, 2023, police were contacted by medical staff at Northumbria Specialist Emergency Care Hospital in Cramlington (NSECH) who were caring for an injured man who had sustained catastrophic brain injuries.
Sadly, 39-year-old Andrew Peart’s condition deteriorated, and, despite the best efforts of medical staff, he died a week later.
An investigation was launched by officers from the Force’s Major Investigation Team (MIT) who identified that Andrew had sustained his injuries after being assaulted the previous evening in Guide Post by Jake McIntyre, from Ashington, who struck Andrew in the head with a metal tyre lever he had in his car.
McIntyre, now 30, was handed a 14-year prison sentence in July last year for Andrew’s manslaughter.
The wider investigation revealed that McIntyre had contacted associate Mark Twizell, 41, the morning after the assault – asking for his assistance in swapping his Mitsubishi car for a different vehicle to allow him to evade arrest.
Twizell provided an alternative car, a BMW, for McIntyre to use, and cars were swapped over near Twizell’s home address.
Evidence heard during McIntyre’s trial included a video of him driving around in the white BMW whilst recording on his phone, bragging about administering ‘street justice’.
The messages between the pair also proved Twizell was aware of the assault, that Northumbria Police were investigating, and that Andrew was, at that time, in hospital fighting for his life.
A trawl of CCTV also showed McIntyre’s Mitsubishi being transported to a premises in the Stannington area associated with Twizell – where he would store vehicles.
In February 2024, Twizell, of Oakville, North Seaton, was charged with assisting an offender. In June, he appeared at Newcastle Crown Court, where he pleaded guilty to the offence.
And today (Thursday), he returned to the same court where he was sentenced to two years and three months in prison.
Leading the investigation into Andrew’s death was Detective Chief Inspector Graeme Barr, of MIT.
Speaking after Twizell’s sentencing, he said: “We are now more than two years on from Andrew’s tragic death which was a result of nothing more than totally unnecessary violence.
“Our thoughts continue to be with Andrew’s family and loved ones as all court cases concerning our investigation are concluded. I truly hope they can now begin a fresh chapter and seek some closure if they are able to.”
Det Ch Inspector Barr added: “Now, after two years, both Andrew’s killer and the man who assisted him in trying to cover his tracks have been imprisoned.
“The pair are now serving more than 16 years’ combined for their choices that night and in the days afterwards.
“We know from the evidence that Twizell knew just how badly Andrew was hurt – yet he made a conscious decision to help McIntyre despite what he had done, rather than coming forward and telling police.
“That decision has now secured him a prison spell and demonstrates just how wide-reaching our investigations are in the pursuit of justice.”