A killer is now facing life in prison after brutally murdering a “caring” homeless man “with a huge heart”.
Joshua Carroll, 29, chased after Headley Thomas – known as Barry – before stamping on him and leaving him to die in Penn Park, off Maher Gardens in Old Trafford. Mr Thomas did not die immediately but did sustain severe head injuries in the horrifying assault. He tragically passed away two and a half weeks after the attack, on September 12, 2022. Carroll has been on trial for the past four weeks at Manchester’s Minshull Street Crown Court, having denied murdering Mr Thomas.
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On Wednesday he was found guilty after a jury took just three hours and 45 minutes to deliberate. Carroll was following proceedings in court via videolink from a secure psychiatric unit.
He will be sentenced on April 10, and Greater Manchester Police (GMP) have released his custody image following the conviction. Judge Maurice Greene told him the only sentence that can be passed was one of life in prison, Manchester Evening News reports.
He said: “You understand you have been found guilty of murder. Sentencing will be on April 10. The sentence will be life imprisonment but I have to decide the minimum term that you will serve before you will be considered for release by the Parole Board.”
Mr Thomas’ family wept and hugged each other in the public gallery after the verdict was announced. Carroll’s family also left the court in tears.
Mr Thomas was living in a tent in the park at the time of attack, which was described by the prosecution as ‘deliberate and sustained.’ He was seen on CCTV around midday carrying a bag and using his bike with Carroll seen calling out to him and following him.
Carroll was seen ‘washing his shoes in a puddle’ before leaving the park around 12.30pm. Shortly afterwards, he was seen riding Mr Thomas’ bike.
Mr Thomas was discovered unconscious and bleeding around 2pm. His belongings, which had been put on a bench behind him, appeared to have been ‘rifled through’ the court was told.
Prosecutors said his injuries were found to be similar to those of someone who had fallen from a height, or been in a crash, with a pathologist later telling jurors they were likely caused by ‘kicking or stamping’.
Following Mr Thomas’ death, his family said: “Our hearts are broken, our world has been altered forever. Forever loved by his family, children, and friends.
“Our brother was prideful, protective, funny, loyal and a caring man with a huge heart to match we are saddened by this news. We as a family are searching for answers to this senseless act and to bring closure to a life that’s lost.”
