Four jailed for 33 years in connection with Kirkby man Thomas Edmunds

Four people have been jailed for a total of 33 years today, Friday 21 January, in relation to the death of Kirkby man Thomas Edmunds. 

 

At around 10.30pm on Sunday 9 May 2021, emergency services received a report that 36-year-old Thomas was found seriously injured at an address on Clorain Road.  

 

He was taken to hospital where he sadly died as a result of his injuries. 

 

A Home Office Post Mortem later confirmed the cause of death as cardio-respiratory arrest likely to have been caused by pressure applied to his neck. 

 

Police launched an investigation and quickly arrested and charged 32-year-old Thomas Broadhurst, 34-year-old Terence Bennett and 48-year-old Kevin Nethercote in connection with Thomas’ death. 

 

A 17-year-old male Kevin Condliffe, was further arrested and charged on Sunday 16 May. 

 

(Left to Right: Broadhurst, Bennett, Nethercote)

 

Today, Thomas Broadhurst of Regal Road, Croxteth was sentenced to 10 years, 8 months after admitting manslaughter and conspiracy to rob. 

 

Terence Bennett of Sovereign Hey, Croxteth and Kevin Nethercote of Regal Road, Croxteth were sentenced to 8 years and 9 years 4 months respectively after admitting conspiracy to rob.

 

Kevin Condliffe of Carr Lane East, Croxteth was sentenced to 5 years after admitting conspiracy to rob.

 

(Kevin Condliffe)

 

All four men submitted guilty pleas in November 2021.  

 

Detective Superintendent Simon Vaughan, Senior Investigating Officer said:  “We are pleased to see today’s outcome, which we hope at least brings some comfort to Thomas’s family and friends, who have been left completely devastated by his death.

 

“This was a shocking case, in which a planned robbery of Thomas at his home had tragic consequences. Broadhurst and his accomplices have now been removed from the streets for the foreseeable future, left to reflect on the huge impact of their actions through the whole community.

 

“I’d like to thank Thomas’s family for their strength and dignity throughout this difficult process, thankfully one which was made slightly more bearable by the defendants’ guilty pleas. I’d also like to recognise the dedication and hard work of our investigation team, prosecuting counsel and CPS in ensuring this successful outcome.

 

“Violent crime can lead to catastrophic consequences and we’re determined to identify and remove from the streets all of those who use threats, intimidation and violence to carry out their criminal business. Information from those people and communities affected can be key to bringing such people to justice, so come forward with anything you know about violent crime where you are, and we will do the rest.”

 

In a statement given on behalf of his family, Sheila Edmunds, mother of Thomas, said that the family were “totally trapped in grief….each day is worse than the last, the longer he has gone the worse the loss gets.

 

“He had so much to live for. All those birthdays, Christmases, anniversaries and family occasions all gone. All taken away. 

 

“This should not have happened. Our lasting memory should be of all the good times. However, on closing our eyes we see our poor Tommy lying in hospital with all those machines and tubes surrounding him.

 

“Our Tommy should still be here, if it was not for the actions of others. They could not imagine how much pain and damage they have caused our family. It breaks our hearts that we will never see his smiling face again.”

 

Anyone with any information on suspected violent crime is asked to always call 999 if a crime is in progress. You can also pass on non-urgent information via our social media desk via Twitter @MerPolCC or Facebook ‘Merseyside Police Contact Centre’

 

You can also contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111, or their online form at Give information | Crimestoppers (crimestoppers-uk.org)