Body parts suspect found guilty

Richard Markham claimed he acted in self-defence

An accounts clerk has been found guilty of murdering a friend and then dismembering his body.

Richard Markham, 28, of St Nicholas Court, South Ham, Basingstoke, had claimed he acted in self-defence.

But on Wednesday, following a two-and-a-half week trial, the jury of seven men and five women decided he was guilty of the murder of Tristian Lovelock in Basingstoke between 29 May and 1 June last year.

Mr Lovelock's family gave a loud cheer when the judge told Markham he would be passing a mandatory life sentence.

During the trial at Winchester Crown Court the jury heard how Markham hacked the 25-year-old father-of-two to pieces before baking his arm in an oven and scattering other body parts in nearby gardens and a park.

When Tristian's life was taken, so was ours in a way. Nothing will ever be the same again

Ruth Halliday,
mother of Tristian Lovelock

Gruesome trail led to New York

The court heard how an argument erupted after the pair had spent the evening drinking.

Mr Lovelock, who had a history of violent offending, threatened Markham with a WW1 bayonet, the court was told.

But Markham killed his drinking partner by hitting him over the head with a hammer 15 times before he dismembered the body with a saw and a hacksaw.

Mr Lovelock's head was discovered in bushes at a local playing field

Minutes later, Markham phoned friends of the pair, boasting of the killing.

The prosecution alleged Markham had planned the killing some weeks before, as revenge for an incident where Mr Lovelock pushed him off a pub bench in front of several other people.

Mr Lovelock's head was found in bushes by a dog walker, while other limbs were found in gardens of St Nicholas Court, while the torso and a partially-cooked arm were found in Markham's home.

After police discovered Markham had fled to New York, his picture was issued to papers in America.

Markham was finally arrested in Central Park in New York, before being returned to the UK.

In court on Wednesday, bespectacled Markham, looking pale and drawn, sat still and showed no emotion as the verdict was read out.

Sitting in the public gallery, Mr Lovelock's friends and family gave a loud cheer and cried "Yes!".

Family statement

Outside the court, Mr Lovelock's mother Ruth Halliday read out a statement from his family and his close friends.

She said: "The trial has been really difficult for us because of all the things we have had to hear. It has also sometimes felt as though it was Tristian who was on trial.

'I'm pleased I found head'

Murder 'warning' to estate

"When Tristian's life was taken, so was ours in a way. Nothing will ever be the same again.

"His children, Charlie and Ella, can't understand where their daddy is and keep asking for him. They keep asking what's happened to him and it breaks our hearts.

"Tristian's humour was infectious, he loved life, he loved his family and friends - they meant the world to him.

"All he ever wanted was for everyone to be happy and enjoy the moment - he was the king of adventure and the master of fun."

Mr Lovelock's family said they had no feelings towards Markham.

His father Peter said: "What he's done to us, our family, Tristian's friends, is just unforgivable."

They denied he and Markham had ever been close friends.

Mr Lovelock said: "Close friends do not do that to each other. Tristian's close friends are still there, and still grieving with us."