May 7, 2024
Stephen Rose KC leading Laura Kenyon have successfully prosecuted Theodore Lynch, 41 from Norwich for the murder of 63 year old Leslie Smith at the latter’s flat in Norwich.
When neighbours grew suspicious and alerted the police, Mr Smith’s body was found on the sofa, he had been left decomposing on the sofa for 12 days after his murder.
Initially, the death was not thought to be suspicious but when a coroner’s post -mortem examination was undertaken on 22 October 2021, concerns were raised the death may not have been accidental. A further Home Office post-mortem examination identified an injury or other factors had caused a collection of blood in the chest, consistent with a penetrating wound having entered the front of the neck.
The court heard that police linked Theodore Lynch to the death through CCTV footage which showed him making a hasty exit from Leslie’s flat following a drug debt dispute on the evening of 5 October, 2021.
Mr Lynch denied murder and pleaded guilty to manslaughter; he entered the manslaughter plea during the course of the prosecution case. Following a two week trial, at Norwich Crown Court, Mr Lynch was found guilty of murder. He was sentenced to a minimum of 22 years in prison.
Stephen Rose KC is instructed in cases of serious violent crime including murder, manslaughter, arson, armed robbery and firearms offences. See more: [Stephen Rose KC Profile ]
Laura Kenyon specialises in Serious & Organised Crime cases including Drug Offences and Human Trafficking. Read more: [Laura Kenyon Profile]
Stephen and Laura were instructed by Kevin Eastwick at Norfolk CPS and SIO, DCI Christopher Burgess of Norfolk police.
