Robbers murdered victim for phone

Two men have been jailed for life for killing a man for his phone after he refused to give them his cash card Pin.

James Smith, 63, was subjected to a violent attack in Oldham town centre. His body was not found for 17 days.

Adrian Hutchinson, 25, and Keith Buckley, 22, were found guilty of murder and admitted five robberies.

The judge, Mrs Justice Rafferty said: "Anyone wanting to identify a perfect example of brainless, mindless thugs, need look no further than you two."

Hutchinson, of Byland Avenue, Oldham, must serve a minimum of 28 years in prison and Buckley, of Goodwin Court, Oldham, must serve 26 years.

"The men who have taken our dad from us just don't know or care what they have done to our family"
Statement from Mr Smith's children

Manchester Crown Court heard that Mr Smith was the pair's fifth robbery victim that night. Their other four victims handed over their property when threatened.

"With nothing better to do than haunt the centre of Oldham on a rainy winter night, the pair of you went on a spree of feckless violence," Judge Rafferty said.

"James Smith was of a different generation and withstood you. He paid with his life as you beat and kicked him and left him in the indignity of a sordid back yard.

"You did not even bother to use a mobile - you had one, you'd taken it from a victim - to ring anonymously for help. You are cowards."

On the night of the robbery Mr Smith had been out in Oldham town centre with his son and his son's girlfriend.

The defendants followed their victim as he walked home, first demanding a cigarette.

When he refused Buckley punched him in the face.

Mr Smith tried to walk away but Hutchinson grabbed him and dragged him into the yard behind a derelict shop where he punched him, knocking him to the floor.

Hutchinson threatened Mr Smith with a knife and demanded his valuables and cash card Pin, going on to kick him in the head while he lay on the ground - where he was left - after stealing his phone.

Mr Smith was reported missing, but his body, in Union Street, was not found for 17 days.

James's daughter, Louise Hilditch, and son, Philip Smith, said their father was their "best friend".

"We are not just saying this because he was our dad but he was the most caring, genuine, down to earth man you could ever meet," they said.

"The men who have taken our dad from us just don't know or care what they have done to our family.

"Our lives will never be the same again and that hurts more than we can put into words, perhaps one day we will start to come to terms with the loss and start to move on, that day still seems a long way off."

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