A Sneinton man who attacked and killed another man tried to escape justice by calling the police to claim he had found him already lying injured.
Steven Woolley, 31, launched an unprovoked assault on John Inger, 48, at Mr Inger’s flat at Walton Court, Carlton, in the early hours of August 26.
Nottingham Crown Court was told Woolley then made a tearful phone call to police at around 5.36am saying his friend was dead, but claiming he had found him injured and dying after going to visit him.
But Woolley was arrested and charged with murder. He initially pleaded not guilty and was due to face a trial in March next year.
But on Monday (December 11) he appeared at court to change his plea. Jailing him for life, Judge Stuart Rafferty told him he will serve a minimum term of 17-and-a-half-years in prison.
After Woolley, of Manvers Court, was jailed, Mr Inger’s family released a statement.
“The senseless and brutal murder of our dad on 26 August 2017 has left our family heartbroken,” they said.
“Our dad was taken away from us far too soon as a result of a violent and unprovoked attack.
“We will miss our dad every day and life will never be the same again.
“He was one of three brothers – now there are two. For my uncles the loss of their brother and the manner of his death has been difficult to bear.
“Today Steven Woolley pleaded guilty to our dad’s murder. It is the only right and proper thing he can do.
“No sentence will ever be enough to bring our dad back to us.
“We would like to say thank you to the police officers and staff of the Major Crime Unit and Nottinghamshire Police who have worked on the investigation and our Family Liaison Officers who have supported us through this difficult time.”
Woolley had been out drinking on Friday, August 25, with a woman who also knew Mr Inger, and that evening they both visited Mr Inger’s flat.
While there, an argument broke out and Woolley attacked the woman, who was seen on CCTV fleeing the flat at around 1.30am on Saturday 26 August. Woolley then carried out a sustained assault on Mr Inger, who died of his injuries.
He was found dead inside the entrance to his flat at around 5.50am. A post-mortem examination confirmed he died from the injuries sustained in the attack.
