CPS News Brief

Jason Thaxter found guilty of the murder of his mother’s partner

Jason Thaxter has today (Friday 16 December) been found guilty at Sheffield Crown Court of the murder six years ago of Tommy Groome, his mother’s long-term partner, and conspiracy to prevent the burial of a corpse.  His mother, June Buttle pleaded guilty to manslaughter in 2015 and is already serving a 16 year prison sentence. The body has never been found.

The CPS was able to use evidence from Thaxter’s ex-partner who told the court that he confessed to killing Groome along with his mother. The case also involved a number of international enquiries to obtain evidence and information, particularly from Ireland.  The CPS worked closely with the Irish authorities so witnesses in Dublin could give evidence using a live videolink and were not required to travel to the UK.

He will be sentenced on Monday 19 December.

Senior Crown Prosecutor Mark Langan, Complex Casework Unit, CPS Yorkshire and Humberside said:

“Thaxter and his mother, June Buttle, killed Tommy Groome sometime in early January 2010. 

“His body has sadly never been found and Thaxter and Buttle sought to get away with their crime by weaving a tangled web of lies and deception to cover up his death.

“The CPS was able to call two witnesses who told the court that June Buttle had confessed to killing Tommy Groome. She told one witness in some detail how she and her son had dismembered his body and disposed of it on a bonfire.

“Their motive was a combination of greed after Mr Groome had been awarded a substantial sum of compensation and revenge for the violence which had been a prominent feature of their relationship.

“Six years after his death, justice has been done and today’s verdict means that  both of Tommy Groome’s killers are now facing considerable sentences for their crime.”

101-year-old man found guilty of historic sex abuse

A 101-year-old man has today (Friday 16 December) been found guilty of 21 sexual offences which he committed over two decades.

A jury at Birmingham Crown Court heard how between 1974 and 1983 Ralph Clarke, from Erdington, abused the three victims at his home, his garden shed and in his lorry. 

The decision to prosecute him was taken in accordance with the Code for Crown Prosecutors. Clarke’s age and well-being were considered but given the serious nature of the offences, breach of trust and vulnerability of the young victims, it was decided that a prosecution was in the public interest.  

The prosecution team also provided investigative advice to the police, helped identify further witnesses and other material evidence and they examined a total of 85 documents.

Today, Clarke has been found guilty of the following offences:

·         Indecent assault x 12

·         Indecency with a child x 9  

He pleaded guilty to two counts of attempting to commit buggery, five counts of indecent assault on male and two counts of indecency with a child.

The defendant will be sentenced on Monday 19 December.  

Claire Nicholls, Senior Crown Prosecutor from the West Midlands Crown Prosecution Service’s Rape and Serious Sexual Offences Unit, said:

“Ralph Clarke used fear and intimidation to control his victims and sexually abuse them. He took full advantage of their young age and the situation in order to carry out his offences. 

“For over 40 years Clarke thought that he had got away with his crimes. Due to the courage of the victims we were able to bring him to justice and I would like to thank them for their support throughout this difficult and sensitive prosecution.”