Stone-faced Sutton Coldfield murderer's claim about why he attacked 'loyal' terminally ill friend

A man who murdered his 'loyal' friend claimed the victim confessed to being sexually involved with one of his ex-partners before he fatally attacked him. Leroy Lawrence launched a brutal assault on Craig Moult in the victim's Sutton Coldfield flat after the pair had been drinking and taking drugs together.

He then 'sadistically' photographed the 45-year-old father-of-three, who was terminally ill, as he sat dying in the bathroom. Lawrence fled only to return to the flat on Boldmere Close two days later to discover he had killed his friend, whose body remained on the floor.

The 46-year-old crook, who is also a burglar, was sentenced to life with a minimum term of 26 years on Wednesday, December 11, having been found guilty of murder and a charge of theft. Lawrence had cynically claimed self-defence in his trial, which was rejected by a jury.

READ MORE: Burglar who boasted about murdering friend in Sutton Coldfield to fellow prisoner is jailed for life

Mr Moult was on end-of-life care, suffering from pancreatic and liver disease. He had met Lawrence in prison several years earlier. More recently he had supported him by taking his would-be killer's ex-partners and children to visit him in custody.

The pair had been drinking and taking drugs together on September 1 last year along with another man Ryan Poltorak, who left the flat at 1.55pm. Lawrence carried out the fatal attack some time between then and when he exited the property himself three hours later.

Judge Simon Drew KC, summarising the evidence of the trial, concluded the atmosphere had been 'good' between the men until just before Mr Poltorak left. He told Lawrence: "Then, when Ryan left the room, you prompted Craig to make some unpleasant allegations about his mother which he delivered when Ryan returned.

"Ryan was very upset and quickly left. You claim Craig also asserted he had been sexually involved with one of your former partners when you were in prison. Ryan did not hear that, and we have only your word for it.

"It is impossible to know whether that was true, or what prompted you to attack Craig. In evidence you claimed self-defence, the jury rejected that. What I am satisfied of is that you attacked him."

Lawrence launched the attack in the living room and then took Mr Moult into the bathroom where he continued to beat him with a mop handle. He inflicted more than 100 external blunt force injuries and caused two with a knife which he took away from the address to prevent forensic incrimination.

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Lawrence took a picture of the dying victim, which he later 'showed off' to someone else. He took Mr Moult's bag and phone only to return two days later on September 3, and steal another bag.

Judge Drew did not conclude it was a 'murder for gain' which would have resulted in Lawrence facing a minimum term upwards of 30 years. He said: "I am not satisfied that financial or other gain was behind your motivation for attacking Craig. Rather you lost your temper with him and, fuelled by alcohol and drugs, you launched a vicious attack on him."

Instead Judge Drew took a starting point of 15 years, which he increased to 26 years due to a number of 'seriously aggravating features', including the fact he photographed the victim and then boasted about the killing to a fellow prisoner after being remanded in custody.

He continued: "I also accept this was not a premeditated attack, but initially a spontaneous one, albeit one which then continued for a very long time. You are now 46 and face the prospect of spending much of the rest of your life in prison. For that, you have only yourself to blame."

Lawrence of Greenwood Place, Kingstanding, remained stoney-faced throughout the hearing, during which emotional impact statements were read out from Mr Moult's family. They spoke of their heartbreak at not being able to say goodbye to him which they had hoped to do in light of his end-of-life treatment for pancreatic and liver disease.

Mr Moult's brother Lee found him dead at his flat on September 3 after becoming concerned he could not contact him. He described him as an 'independent, caring and loving person' who kept 'defying' doctors' expectations as he 'continued to live life to the full'.

Lawrence showed frustration when Judge Drew confirmed the 26-year minimum term. He arrogantly waved his hand as if to gesture the judge to hurry up, before turning to the dock officer and signalling to let him leave the room. But Lawrence was made to wait until the hearing formally concluded.