Kirkby man jailed for life for murder

A Kirkby man has today, Wednesday 9 February, been jailed for life with a minimum of 19 years after being convicted of the murder of his father.

At around 11.25pm on Monday 17 May last year, emergency services were called to Kirkby Row, Westvale, to reports of two men fighting. 

Neil Farrington, 51, was taken to hospital with head injuries but sadly died four weeks later. His son, Neil Badrock, 28, of Kenbury Close, Northwood, Kirkby, was detained nearby.

Following an investigation he was charged with murder and found guilty following a trial at Liverpool Crown Court.

He was today sentenced to life in prison, to serve a minimum of 19 years before being considered for parole.

Detective Superintendent Helen Bennett said: "This is a terribly tragic incident. Neil Farrington died as a result of head injuries suffered during an assault by his own son.

"Neil’s family have struggled to come to terms, not only with his death, but in the manner in which he died and the subsequent arrest of his son. 

"Their devastation has been further compounded by having to hear the graphic details of what happened that night played out in a courtroom.

"I hope that today’s verdict will give them some sense of closure and allow them to finally move on and grieve the loss of a loved one.

"Neil Badrock will now spend a considerable period of time behind bars reflecting on the consequences of his actions on that night."

The family of Neil Farrington have said: "This past week has been especially harrowing and heart breaking for my whole family as each day we have had to sit through Neil Badrock’s trial for the cowardly, brutal and totally senseless murder of his own father and our much loved and much missed brother Neil Farrington.

"We will never forgive Neil Badrock for taking our brother from us in this way and for the devastation and heart break he has brought to all our lives. 

"We would like to thank the team at Merseyside Police for their fantastic support throughout. From 17 May 2021 when the attack happened right through to the guilty verdict today their professionalism and compassion has shone through.

"We would also like to thank the many members of the Kirkby community who came forward with valuable information and testimonies to help us secure justice. Life will never be the same for any of our family but today’s verdict will help us a little as we try to rebuild our lives."