Man, 25, kills pensioner housemate in early morning attack
Deadly assault in shared home
On May 28, 2021, Jack Forde, 25, launched a violent attack on his 74-year-old housemate Christopher Martin at their Wild Goose Drive residence. Emergency services were called just before 5 a.m. and found Martin in critical condition. He was pronounced dead at 5:57 a.m.
Not guilty of murder, admits manslaughter
At the Old Bailey on Wednesday, April 12, Forde pleaded not guilty to murder but guilty to manslaughter due to diminished responsibility. Wearing a blue tracksuit, he told the court, “Not guilty to murder, guilty to manslaughter by diminished responsibility.“
Blunt force trauma caused death
A post-mortem revealed Martin died from blunt force trauma to the head, chest, and abdomen. Forde was arrested at the scene and later charged with murder.
Sentencing postponed
Judge Anthony Leonard described the case as “extremely sad” and delayed sentencing until May to allow for a psychiatric report. Forde will remain in custody at HMP Belmarsh until then.
