Martin Eastwood, 22, of Kiln Way, Epsom, was convicted of murder at the Old Bailey on Monday, 7 March, in connection with the brutal hit-and-run death of Liam Dent.
Daniel Morris, 22, with no fixed address, had already pleaded guilty to manslaughter. Jasmine Robinson, 19, from Stoneleigh Crescent, Epsom, was found guilty of assisting an offender.
On the early morning of 26 July 2019, 25-year-old Liam Dent was struck by a Ford S-MAX on Osborne Way, Chessington. The vehicle dragged him for half a mile before fleeing the scene.
Emergency services attended the scene but Liam was pronounced dead at the location. The Ford S-MAX was later found burnt out in Epsom, approximately one mile away.
A post-mortem examination confirmed Liam died from multiple injuries, including evidence of prolonged dragging under the vehicle.
Despite the stolen car being set on fire to destroy evidence, detectives worked with forensic experts to reconstruct the crime. CCTV footage and telematics data were used to track the Ford S-MAX’s movements and link Martin Eastwood to the murder.
The data showed the car was stationary near Liam before accelerating towards him. CCTV also revealed the Ford travelling alongside a stolen BMW and an earlier Volvo involved in a pub altercation with Liam and his friends. The Volvo was also found burnt out later in Epsom.
Nearly ten people were arrested during the investigation. Jasmine Robinson helped Eastwood flee to Sheffield by purchasing coach tickets and searching for murder details on her phone. She was convicted of assisting an offender.
Detective Inspector Garth Hall said: “Martin Eastwood’s actions were callous and intentional. Liam stood no chance as he was struck and dragged. Our thoughts are with Liam’s family and friends who finally get the verdict they deserved.”
He added: “Robinson may not have been at the scene, but her calculated behaviour afterwards deserves conviction for the part she played.”
All three convicted individuals are due to be sentenced on Thursday, 31 March.
Originally published by UKNIP.
