Hit and run murderer who sent laughing emoji to victim's partner jailed
A hit and run murderer who posted a laughing emoji under a social media post by his victim's wife has been jailed for life.
Liam Boydell, 23, deliberately drove his car at a cyclist and "ran him down" in a vigilante revenge attack on May 21 this year. Victim Reece Braithwaite, 35, suffered life-threatening injuries in the horrific attack in Grimsby and was rushed to hospital for medical treatment.
He died four days later from "massive and unsurvivable" brain injuries. Boydell, who admitted murder at a very early stage in the proceedings at Hull Crown Court, has now been sentenced to a minimum of 20 years in prison after being jailed for life.
Reece Braithwaite, 35, died four days after the attack from 'massive and unsurvivable' brain injuries (GrimsbyLive/MEN)Richard Wright KC, prosecuting, said that Mr Braithwaite had stopped and was sitting astride his bicycle on a footpath when Boydell "steered his vehicle deliberately onto the pavement so that all four tyres were on the pavement". He was travelling at not less than 24mph and potentially as fast as 29mph when he "drove straight through the deceased, who was still sitting astride his bicycle", propelling Reece onto the bonnet and the windscreen of the car before he landed on the road, Grimsby Live reported.
Boydell drove away at speed and made no attempt to stop or give any assistance. He later accepted that he intended to cause harm. Despite the best efforts of paramedics and surgeons, Mr Braithwaite suffered "massive and unsurvivable" brain injuries and he died on May 24.
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Boydell had deliberately targeted Mr Braithwaite as a result of completely unfounded rumours that had been put about by an associate of Boydell. It was a "deliberate act of revenge" and he used the car as a weapon, having made a deliberate decision to return in the car for a second time. "The killing of Reece was a deliberate act of targeted vigilantism," said Mr Wright. Boydell had shown a determination to inflict really serious injuries. He was arrested from his mother's home on May 25.
While Mr Braithwaite was critically ill in hospital, Boydell posted a laughing emoji on Facebook in response to a post from Mr Braithwaite's partner. He made no comment to police questions during interview. Boydell had convictions, mainly as a youth, for aggravated vehicle taking, threatening behaviour, assault and, most recently, for possessing drugs.
Peter Moulson KC, mitigating, said that Boydell did not intend to kill Mr Braithwaite and he indicated a guilty plea at the first hearing before Hull Crown Court on May 27. Mr Moulson said: "There was no significant degree of planning or premeditation. This was an act of retaliation, albeit in the heat of the moment." Boydell had one conviction for violence in 2015. His mother contacted the police at his request after the incident involving Mr Braithwaite.
The laughing emoji was posted when Boydell did not know the extent of the injuries, Mr Moulson said, but it was an "isolated" incident of its type and he bitterly regretted it. He had written a letter of apology. "He wishes to reiterate that apology and is determined by the remorse that he feels to become a better person in the future," said Mr Moulson. Boydell was a good father to his child and to the child of his partner from a previous relationship. There was a very different side to his character and there were references for him.
Judge John Thackray KC said: "Reece Braithwaite was adored by many and his life was precious and priceless to his family members and friends. Their lives have been shattered and they will never recover from the devastation that you have caused." The judge said that he was satisfied that Boydell did not intend to kill Mr Braithwaite, but the laughing emoji that he sent while the victim was "critically ill in hospital" made it difficult to believe that he was truly remorseful. He will not be considered by the Parole Board for release until he has served a minimum of 20 years behind bars.
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