Corby man jailed for manslaughter
28 February 2019, 16:08 | Updated: 28 February 2019, 16:14
A Corby man who sent photos of his unconscious victim to other people - has today (Thursday, 28th February) been sentenced to more than 7 years for the manslaughter of Thomas Gravestock.
Mr Gravestock, 35, was found dead at a property in Butterwick Walk, Corby in on 22 August 2018 after suffering chest, abdominal and brain injuries.
Sean Doherty (pictured), 25, previously of Lincoln Way, Corby, appeared at Northampton Crown Court for sentencing today after pleading guilty to manslaughter at a pre-trial hearing on Wednesday, February 13.
He had originally been charged with murder.
At sentencing, the court heard how Doherty had attacked Thomas twice in the space of two days over a £20 debt.
The first time in the early evening of August 21, punching him repeatedly to the face, and later on in the early hours of August 22, where Thomas was stamped on, kicked and slapped.
As Thomas lay unconscious on the floor that morning, Doherty took a photo of him with his foot on Thomas’ head and sent it to others via text message.
Statements from Thomas’ family were read out at court, including one from his father who described having to identify Thomas after his death as an ‘unimaginable task’.
In a statement, his mother described her ‘huge and enduring sense of loss that her son is gone forever’, how Thomas was a ‘kind, thoughtful and caring person’, and that her ‘enjoyment of life has gone’ since he died.
The mother of Thomas’ two children, a daughter - aged 10, and a son - aged 6, spoke of the ‘colossal impact’ the death of their father has had on her children and how the ‘happiness has gone from all of their lives.”
Senior Investigating Officer, Detective Chief Inspector Ally White, said:
“No sentence will ever make up for the enduring sense of loss felt by Thomas’ family and friends.
This was an extremely sad case which has left a little girl and little boy without a father and I hope Sean Doherty reflects on this during his time behind bars.”
