Man jailed for helping murderer

Jashbhai Patel was found at his shop Moon's Newsagents

A man who helped a murderer change his appearance after he had stabbed a Luton newsagent has been jailed for 16 months.

Andrew Parsons, 42, of Abbey Drive, Luton, admitted assisting Richard Dettmer, who killed Jashbhai Patel.

Luton Crown Court heard he shaved Dettmer's head and gave him different clothes and trainers on 14 June.

Dettmer was jailed for life on Monday after he admitted murder and wounding with intent.

Parsons's sentence included one month in prison for contempt of court after he turned up at court drunk on Monday.

He was remanded in prison overnight to sober up and he apologised to Judge John Bevan QC and admitted the contempt.

Still holding knife

The court heard Parsons was at the flat of friend Craig Elmore in Kingsland Court, Luton, in the early hours of 14 June.

Prosecutor Beverley Cripps said Dettmer had just fatally stabbed Mr Patel at Moon's newsagents on Park Street, and had also near fatally stabbed another man.

Richard Dettmer shaved his head soon after the attack

She told Luton Crown Court that CCTV images from a lift at Kingsland Court showed Dettmer arriving, wearing dark clothing, white trainers and with his shoulder length hair tied in a pony tail. He was still holding a knife.

He emerged a short while later with a shaved head, a red football top and red trainers, the court was told.

She said the change of appearance did not hinder the police operation and Dettmer was arrested later the same day at a centre for the homeless.

Parsons told centre staff and police what he had done, and where Dettmer's blood stained trainers could be found.

Paul Crampin, defending Parsons, said: "He had only known Dettmer for a few weeks, and was not a good friend of his.

"His impression was that he was a very volatile character and he found him intimidating.

"Dettmer told him what he had done and made a request of him and he was not inclined to say no."

He added that he realised his actions were "foolish and stupid" and wished to apologise to Mr Patel's family.

Judge John Bevan QC told the defendant his actions demanded a custodial sentence but he had taken into account that the investigation was not hindered and he had eventually helped police.

Dettmer, of no fixed address, was told on Monday that he must serve a minimum term of 31-and-a-half years.