Man jailed for 15 years after beating his granddad to death in rampage

A man has been sentenced to 15 years in prison for beating his own grandfather with dementia to death in an alcohol-fuelled rampage.

Jakob Walpole already had a restraining order, which was supposed to stop him from visiting his ‘vulnerable and elderly’ grandfather, John Brown, when he launched the attack on November 23 of last year.

Just 11 days before the fatal attack, Walpole, 33, arrived drunk at his grandparents’ house in Bulkington, near Coventry, banging on the windows and threatening to kill his 81-year-old grandfather.

The family had concerns about Walpole’s behaviour, which had been deteriorating since the coronavirus pandemic, and security cameras had already been installed at his grandparents’ home.

Judge Kristina Montgomery KC said: ‘Mr Brown was an exceptionally small man in deteriorating physical health who had been diagnosed with dementia.

‘Your visits were made to exploit his love… by taking money from both your grandparents to fund your lifestyle. You were an intimidating and persistent nuisance in their lives.

The court heard that on the night Walpole attacked his grandfather, Mr Brown stood up to Jakob, who was asking for money, before the elderly man was struck on the head.

John, a well-known Jaguar car expert, was left with significant facial injuries and bleeding on the brain after the attack. He died in the hospital five days later.

Callously, Walpole then left his grandfather seriously injured and instead went to Bulkington Working Men’s Club, where he bragged about what he’d done.

He attacked two other people after being asked to calm down, smashing a glass over a customer’s head before assaulting a bar worker as he was physically removed from the pub.

After a trial, Walpole was found guilty of manslaughter, assault by beating, breaching a restraining order, and assault occasioning actual bodily harm. He was found not guilty of murder.

He has since returned to Warwick Crown Court, where he was sentenced to 15 years in prison.

Walpole repeatedly yelled for his mum to ‘shut up’ from the dock while his mother, Lynda Brown, read a victim impact statement to the court.

Ms Brown said: ‘The tears we have shed could fill buckets and I live with the knowledge my son caused the death of my beloved father.’

Speaking when Walpole was found guilty, Natalie Kelly from the Crown Prosecution Service said: ‘Jakob Walpole carried out a senseless and brutal attack on his own grandfather, who had tried to help him. He showed no concern or remorse following the attack.

‘Rather than call for help, he callously left his vulnerable and elderly grandfather severely injured and went to a local pub where he assaulted two further elderly victims.

‘Everyone who knew Mr Brown saw how much he did for his grandson, often going out of his way to care and support him – but Walpole simply took advantage of his kindness.

‘We were able to prove this case using comprehensive evidence, including CCTV footage, mobile phone evidence and messages which clearly demonstrated Walpole’s violent intentions and actions.

‘While this conviction ensures Walpole is held accountable for his actions, the family have been left with a deep and lasting pain that no justice can erase.’

John’s loved ones paid tribute to him, calling him a ‘pillar of the community’.

Detective Inspector Gareth Unett of Warwickshire Police said: ‘John Brown was a kind, gentle, hardworking man whose loss has left a huge void in the lives of his loved ones and friends.

‘Not only was he loved greatly by all those around him, but he was also known internationally as one of the best restorers of classic Jaguars.

‘The legacy he leaves is not only in the love and generosity he showed to those around him, but also in the countless classic cars that will survive for generations more thanks to his work.

‘Walpole’s attack on his grandfather, who had shown him nothing but kindness and generosity, was an act of cowardice and brutality that, in decades of policing, I struggle to find a comparison for.

‘His later attack in the working men’s club only serves as further confirmation that Walpole is a danger to decent, peaceful, law-abiding people.

‘Our thoughts remain with Mr Brown’s family, in what is a terribly sad case. They have shown dignity and respect in the most challenging of circumstances.’

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