Man jailed for life for murder

52-year-old Archie Kerr was attacked at his home in the Deneside area of Yarmouth in January last year.

37 year old William Rowley of Ordnance Road in Yarmouth will have to serve a minimum of 17 years before being considered for parole.

Archie was assaulted following an argument between Rowley, another man and James Flynn – Archie’s son. James had been out socialising in the Regent Road area of Yarmouth prior to the incident and had, at some point during the evening, got into an argument.

This resulted in Rowley visiting his father’s address. Upon entering the hallway outside his flat, Archie was struck on the head several times with a fire extinguisher and collapsed. The fire extinguisher was later found discarded outside the property.

Detective Inspector Andy Guy, Joint Norfolk and Suffolk Major Investigation Team, who lead the investigation, welcomed the result saying: “The court heard that Rowley had a long history of serious violence. The attack on Archie Kerr was totally unprovoked and appears to have been revenge for an earlier altercation involving Archie’s son. The level of violence used was extreme and totally unnecessary.”

Co-defendant Darren John Peake, 37, of Gloucester Avenue, Gorleston was acquitted.