Killers sentenced for murdering ‘gentle giant’
Chris Poole. (Copy of supplied photo made January 2nd 2013) E01012P
The killers of Hampden Park man Chris Poole have been sentenced to years behind bars.
Shane Noble, 20, of no fixed abode, will serve a minimum of 11 years and 15-year-old Joe Chapman, formerly of Iden Street, will serve at least eight years.
A crowded public gallery listened as the pair were sentenced on Friday at Lewes Crown Court. Noble’s mother broke down in tears and had to be comforted after the sentences were handed out. The pair had denied murder but were convicted last month following a three week trial.
Judge Anthony Scott-Gall told them, “This unlawful and wholly unwarranted incident lasted less than two minutes.
“For his partner it was her grave misfortune to see him lying motionless on the ground. It’s a memory she is unlikely to ever forget.”
Before sentencing the court heard how a psychiatric report had been carried out on Noble and it was explained that he had had a ‘challenging childhood’.
Judge Scott-Gall said that Noble had expressed genuine remorse and added that Chapman had not wanted to lose face in front of his friends.
He added, “I feel in both your cases that the mitigating factors are that you are both very young men, there’s a degree of immaturity in you Shane and you Joe had just turned 15.”
Mr Poole, who was described my his family as a ‘gentle giant’, died following a vicious attack outside the Premier store in The Hydneye area of Hampden Park in August last year.
During the trial the jury of seven women and five men heard how there had been a dispute between Mr Poole, 46, and a group of youths about his dogs, who had been tied up outside the shop. Following the attack an ambulance and paramedic arrived at the scene and tried to revive Mr Poole but he had suffered severe brain damage and died the following day.
Following the sentencing his devastated brother Rick Poole spoke on the steps of Lewes Crown Court.
Mr Poole had to compose himself as he read a statement.
He said, “Thanks to the justice system of this country they were found guilty. They showed no remorse for their actions.
“In time they will be free again and maybe they will have learnt their lesson. We as a family will never be free from pain and suffering.”
When asked about the sentence Mr Poole, added, “I expected more but I can see why the judge gave what he did to reduce the chance of an appeal being upheld.”
To watch the video of Mr Poole speaking outside court visit: www.eastbourneherald.co.uk
Email to a friend
Print this page
Looking for...
Featured advertisers
Jobs
Search for a job
Motors
Search for a car
Property
Search for a house
Weather for Eastbourne
Saturday 18 May 2013
Today
Sunny spells
Temperature: 8 C to 14 C
Wind Speed: 14 mph
Wind direction: South west
Tomorrow
Light showers
Temperature: 8 C to 14 C
Wind Speed: 12 mph
Wind direction: North east
