Guilty verdicts in river murder trial
16 July 2008
A jury today convicted Sean Downes and Thomas Luddington of the murder of engineering student, Robert Gill. They were also convicted of charges of false imprisonment and robbery. A youth of 16, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was convicted of manslaughter, false imprisonment and robbery.
On the night of Boxing Day 2007, Robert Gill had spent an evening out in Bedford with his brother. He was attacked by the three defendants shortly after leaving a nightclub. They stole his cash card, demanded the pin number to Robert Gill’s bank account but became angry when they could not withdraw any money. He was then led off to the River Great Ouse and repeatedly punched and kicked, after which he was pushed into the river.
Police divers recovered Robert Gill’s body eight days later.
The sentencing of all three defendants has been adjourned to September.
The case was prosecuted by Tim Spencer QC.