Callous Joshua Carroll was caught on CCTV casually washing his shoes in a puddle moments after the vicious ambush on homeless Barry Thomas – today Carroll learned his fate
A thug who chased a homeless man who was trying to escape on a bike before beating him to death has today been jailed for life for his murder. Callous Joshua Carroll was caught on CCTV moments after the vicious ambush washing his shoes in a puddle, before jumping on his victim’s bike and riding off as he lay dying.
At around 2.30pm on Monday, September 12, 2022, homeless Barry Thomas was found by passers-by laying unconscious with severe head injuries in Penn Park, in Old Trafford. He had a traumatic brain injury, a broken nose, a fractured eye socket, a laceration to left ear and a laceration to the right eyebrow. A jury was told the degree of force needed to cause such an injury was similar to “running to kick a football”.
Mr Thomas died in hospital on Sunday, October 2, 2022, aged just 51. A trial at Manchester Crown Court heard that at around 9.35am on the day of the attack, Carroll was seen chasing Mr Thomas.
Just before noon Mr Thomas was seen again on CCTV heading towards Penn Park carrying a bag and using his bike, it is believed the vicious assault took place shortly after.
Numerous media appeals were made asking for witnesses and information, as detectives continued to investigate and identify Barry’s killer. Carroll was today told he must serve a minimum of 18 years in prison.
Detective inspector Matthew Hamer from Greater Manchester Police’s serious crime division said: “Today’s sentencing demonstrates our unwavering commitment to pursuing justice for all members of our community, regardless of their circumstances or how much time has passed since the crime.
“This case had its challenges, but we remained determined throughout with Barry at the forefront of our minds.
“Carroll had the intention of causing Barry some sort of distress that day, by chasing him in the morning, then going on and seriously assaulting him and taking some of his belongings.
“His actions were unacceptable and hopefully he will spend his time behind bars reflecting on what he has done, an innocent man has lost his life and I hope that Barry’s family can find some sort of closure with this sentencing.”
