A serial street robber has admitted murdering a 54-year-old – as he tried to hold onto his wallet and refused to give his pin number.
Paul Warren, 25, attacked 54-year-old Martin Brown as he walked home from a grocery shop in Beechcroft Road, Swindon, on June 27 last year.
The victim, chosen at random, was found seriously injured in the street sometime after the attack – and died in hospital 11 days later.
Detective Chief Inspector Phil Walker said Mr Brown was repeatedly punching him in the head until he handed over his wallet and provided the PIN to his bank card.
Mr Brown chose to make the trip home on foot after missing his bus.
At Bristol Crown Court today (July 6), Warren, of Victoria Road, Swindon, pleaded guilty to murder. It follows a charge of robbery he admitted on an earlier date.
DCI Walker added: “Martin had missed the last bus home after doing a grocery shop at a local supermarket so he decided to walk to his home address in Queensfield.
“Tragically, he was targeted by Paul Warren who launched a violent and sustained attack on him, repeatedly punching him to the head until he handed over his wallet and provided the PIN number to his bank card.
“Martin was left seriously injured – we believe he attempted to continue on his journey home, but collapsed in the street due to the severity of his injuries.
“He was later found and taken to hospital where he tragically died a few days later.
“Officers continued with their enquiries and were able to piece together Martin’s final movements and through CCTV enquiries were able to identify Warren as the man behind the attack – he was arrested initially on suspicion of robbery, before a charge of murder was authorised after Martin sadly died as a result of his injuries.
“This was a completely random attack and Warren’s actions were totally cowardly – he has devastated a family and all of those who knew Martin.
“Violence of this severity will not be tolerated. It causes fear within our community and I am hopeful that a lengthy custodial sentence will be handed to Warren when he next appears in court.
“I would like to take this opportunity to pay tribute to Martin’s family who have had their world turned upside down by Warren’s actions.
“Despite this, they have acted with dignity throughout this ordeal. My thoughts are with them at what continues to be an incredibly difficult time.”
Warren was previously jailed for four-and-a-half years for street muggings with a very similar modus operandi.
He has been remanded in custody to be sentenced on July 20.
