Man convicted of beating friend to death in row over drugs at New Year's Eve party

 
Guilty: Hamer repeatedly punched and kicked his friend John Keenan
Handout/MPS
Sebastian Mann3 June 2015
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A man has been convicted of savagely beating his friend to death in a row over drugs at a New Year's Eve party.

Terry Hamer, 34, from Whitechapel, killed 43-year-old John Keenan with a flurry of unprovoked blows in front of revellers at the get-together in Newbold Gardens, Sidney Street, to herald in 2015.

Hamer had just visited a nearby kebab shop shortly after midnight when he launched into his violent attack that police said was over a drugs dispute, the Old Bailey heard.

After shouting and swearing at his friend, he repeatedly punched him before kicking him in the head, knocking him to the ground.

Hamer then left the party with girlfriend Laura Hudson, 26, also from Whitechapel. Both were arrested later that night after emergency services were called to Mr Keenan's assistance.

Ambulance crews pronounced him dead at the scene, with a post mortem later giving the cause of death as brain injury.

Investigating officer Detective Inspector John Marriott, from Scotland Yard's Homicide and Major Crime Command said: "This was a savage and unprovoked attack on a man enjoying New Year's Eve with his family and friends at a private party.

“Hamer did what he could to thwart our investigation but in the end the evidence against him was overwhelming.

“Justice has prevailed today and I hope today's verdict goes someway to helping John's partner, father and loved ones begin to recover from what they witnessed on what should have been an evening of celebration."

Hudson admitted being drunk and taking class A drugs on the evening of the attack. She was today acquitted of Grievous Bodily Harm against John's partner.

Hamer was convicted of murdering John but acquitted of committing Actual Bodily Harm on his partner.

He is due to be sentenced on Thursday at Snaresbrook Crown Court.

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