Birmingham man died of 'more than 100 blunt force injuries' in 'gratuitous' home attack, trial told

A Sutton Coldfield man was found dead in his flat after his friend subjected him to a "sustained" and "gratuitous attack" before leaving him alone, a trial was told. Craig Moult, 45, was found dead inside his flat on Boldmere Close in Sutton Coldfield on September 3, 2023.

Leroy Lawrence, 46, is accused of Craig Moult's murder and two counts of theft and two counts of fraud. He denies all charges. The murder trial opened at Birmingham Crown Court on Tuesday November 19.

The court heard how Lawrence, of Greenwood Place Kingstanding, had met the victim in prison. Phil Bradley KC, prosecuting, told the court the victim was an alcoholic and suffered with pancreatic and liver disease.

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"He was receiving end of life care," said Mr Bradley. "Mr Moult lived in a one-bedroom flat in Boldmere Close, he drank and took drugs with friends. He was given to bouts of depression.

"Despite that lifestyle, Craig Moult remained in regular touch with his family and his flat was always kept neat and tidy. The defendant, Leroy Lawrence, first met Craig in prison many years ago."

The jury were told how Leroy Lawrence would go round to his house to "drink and take drugs."

The court heard how on September 3, Craig Moult's brother became concerned after he failed to pick up calls. Lee Moult went around to Craig's Sutton Coldfield flat on the evening of September 3, 2023.

"Lee Moult entered the living room, he noticed the TV was damaged, the screen looked like someone had punched it, there were slash marks on the chair," said Mr Bradley.

Adding: "They found Craig slumped behind the bathroom door. Lee touched his brother through the door and he was cold to the touch, he was dead. A murder inquiry began."

Mr Bradley shared that the pathologist report which confirmed Craig Moult had suffered "more than 100 blunt force external injuries, such as bruising, lacerations, and more internal injuries." He added that on Mr Moult's head, arms and his back there was "evidence of injuries inflicted by a knife."

Mr Bradley added that the pathologist reported that Craig Moult was "subjected to a gratuitous attack" and that his death was down to "traumatic injury." Mr Bradley said: "Leroy Lawrence inflicted this injury, he obviously intended that Craig should die, or that he would be really seriously injured."

The jury were shown CCTV of Leroy Lawrence, Craig Moult and a third man, Ryan Poltorak's, movements from August 31 to September 1. They were also shown Leroy Lawrence's movements from September 1 to 3, when Mr Moult's body was discovered.

Mr Bradley told of how after the three men spent the evening of August 31 "drinking and taking drugs" in Mr Moult's flat. Ryan Poltorak left the flat on September 1. "When Ryan Poltorak left the flat, Craig was uninjured.

"He left Craig and Leroy Lawrence in the flat alone. The prosecution say that Leroy Lawrence subjected Craig in that time to a sustained attack. In a sadistic twist, Leroy Lawrence used his phone to take pictures of Craig in his battered and bloody state before he hot-footed it away down the road."

Mr Bradley told the court that later, Mr Lawrence wiped his phone to its factory settings, but had shown the picture to people before he did. He added that Mr Lawrence also paid a visit to his ex-partner.

"[His ex-partner] drove him to the police station. Mr Lawrence left behind a bag containing items including a bag belonging to Craig Moult. He was interviewed by police five times in three days and answered no comment."

The court heard that Mr Lawrence was taken into custody where he met a man called Dean Jones. "He told [Mr Jones] that he killed a man and disposed of the evidence. He said he left the victim in the bathroom and took the victim's bank card. He returned to the property two days later and the victim appeared to be dead," claimed Mr Bradley.

Adding: "He asked Dean Jones if he thought he had any chance of getting away with it."

Mr Bradley continued: "Before and after the killing, Leroy Lawrence was involved with thefts and burglaries." The jury were then shown CCTV of Leroy Lawrence using the bank card of a friend, Andrew Bourke.

The jury also viewed bodycam stills from a visit police made to Craig Moult before his death, after he expressed having suicidal thoughts. Officers detailed how tidy Mr Moult's flat was and the presence of a set of chef's knives. He was taken to hospital, and later discharged.

Taking the jury through a day-by-day look at Craig Moult and Leroy Lawrence's movements from August 31, Mr Bradley said: "Lee Moult, Craig's brother, visited the flat on August 31. He met Leroy Lawrence and saw his brother drunk but that was not anything out of the ordinary."

By midnight on August 31 Craig Moult was seen on CCTV buying alcohol. His friend Ryan Poltorak then arrived at the flat in the early hours of September 1.

Mr Moult, Mr Poltorak and Mr Lawrence then "took drugs and were drinking." The trio were then spotted on CCTV buying more drinks in the early hours of September 1.

Mr Poltorak decided to leave Mr Moult's flat at 1:55pm on September 1 and said Mr Moult was uninjured at this point. Mr Poltorak started to make his way home but got lost on his way to town, said Mr Bradley.

The court heard he called Mr Moult a number of times to ask for help but received no answer. Mr Bradley asked the jury to consider why those calls went unanswered.

The jury were then shown CCTV of Leroy Lawrence "running away" from the flat, boarding a bus and wearing a man bag "containing a knife belonging to Craig." Mr Bradley went on: "Between 5 and 7pm on September 1, Andrew Bourke found Leroy Lawrence lying on his bed. He challenged him about his missing bank card.

"Leroy then showed Mr Bourke pictures of the victim covered in blood in the bathroom. Mr Bourke noted that Lawrence had a chef knife in his bag and left his own house fearing for his life. He believes the pictures Leroy showed him were of Craig Moult."

The jury then heard how the next day, September 2, Leroy Lawrence visited a friend's house after agreeing to look after her dogs but 'stole items from the house'. The jury were then shown CCTV stills of Leroy Lawrence using what Mr Bradley claims to be stolen cards in shops across Birmingham.

Returning to September 3, Mr Bradley spoke of how Lee Moult and his partner discovered Craig Moult's body.

"Lee Moult and his partner entered Craig's flat to see slash marks on the sofa, the TV damaged. He kicked at the bathroom door. He saw his brother lying down on the floor in a pool of blood.

"999 crews arrived, Craig was declared dead at 6:24pm on September 3."

The trial continues.