West Yorkshire drug dealer who shot and killed Barnsley man during burglary jailed for life
Adrian Frost used an illegally held sawn off shotgun against Connor Batty, with the 26 year old being fatally injured in the chest during the break-in in Hemsworth last September
Last updated 10 hours ago
A drug dealer who shot and killed a Barnsley man during an attempted burglary at his home in Hemsworth has been jailed for life.
Adrian Frost used an illegally held sawn off shotgun against Connor Batty, with the 26 year old being fatally injured in the chest during the break-in on Barnsley Road, Hemsworth, on September 11 last year.
Batty had turned up at Frost's address in an appearent attempt to steal from his cannabis growing operation. Two accomplices, armed with a pickaxe handle and garden shears, were involved, with Batty armed with an imitation handgun.
It later emeged Batty had been shot in the stairwell of the home after the back door was kicked in.
He was then left unconscious outside the home, with Frost then taking pictures of Connor's body. On CCTV he was heard commenting “do you want an aspirin mate?”
Frost claimed he'd slipped and fired the gun accidentally, an explaination the jury at Leeds Crown Court rejected.
Police searches of Frost's home turned up an illegal high-powered air rifle, a samurai sword, machetes, knuckle dusters and incapacitant spray.
Cannabis was found growing on the top floor, along with almost £150,000 in silver bullion.
Frost admitted possession of the sawn-off shotgun, production of cannabis, supplying cannabis, possession of incapacitant spray and abstraction of electricity.
He will now serve a minimum of 27 years.
Temporary Detective Superintendent Matt Holdsworth of West Yorkshire Police said: “This is not a case of an ordinary member of the public defending his home in the heat of the moment using force that is disproportionate."
"The law caters for these circumstances. He was a drug dealer who had an illegally held sawn-off shotgun and ammunition immediately to hand to defend his criminal enterprise.
"He used deadly force without justification, and it is right that he has been prosecuted and held responsible for killing Connor Batty.”
“The jury has given full consideration to the circumstances and has found him guilty of murder.
“Connor’s family are innocent parties in this tragic situation, and our thoughts are with them as they continue to come to terms with their loss.”
Lewis Bromley, 26, of Rose Avenue, Darfield, Barnsley, and Dylan Kelly, 24, of Locksley Gardens, Birdwell, Barnsley, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit burglary, possession of an imitation firearm while committing burglary, and possession of an offensive weapon in relation to a pickaxe handle.
Bromley was sentenced to a total of four years and six months in prison and Kelly to four years and four months.
Connor Turner, 29, of Schofield Road, Darfield, Barnsley, pleaded guilty conspiracy to commit burglary and possession of an offensive weapon in relation to a pickaxe handle.
He was found not guilty of possession of an imitation firearm while committing burglary. He was sentenced to a total of three years imprisonment.