Killer Showed No Remorse After Fatal Attack
George Ness has been jailed for life after bludgeoning 63-year-old John Smyth to death in a brutal attack in Wallsend. The 41-year-old, from Avon Avenue in North Shields, was sentenced at Newcastle Crown Court and must serve a minimum of 22 years behind bars.
Hours after the fatal attack, police arrested Ness at Wallsend Metro station. Bodycam footage showed him acting aggressively towards officers, refusing to stand up and complaining of a sore hand. His foul-mouthed behaviour demonstrated no remorse for the murder he had committed just hours earlier.
Fatal Attack in a Drug-Fuelled Rage
The court heard that Ness went to the home of Brydi Nye on Holly Avenue, Wallsend, around 4:30am on September 22 last year, attempting to buy drugs. When he was unable to do so, he became aggressive and refused to leave. John Smyth, who was present at the property, attempted to chase Ness away to protect his neighbour and her home. Armed with a craft knife and a screwdriver, Mr Smyth confronted Ness outside.
Judge Paul Sloan KC ruled that the attack was entirely unprovoked, stating that Ness was incensed by his inability to obtain crack cocaine and lashed out in a drink and drug-fuelled rage. Ness grabbed a heavy length of wood from the yard and struck Mr Smyth multiple times. Despite attempts to block the blows, the victim was hit at least four times in the torso before Ness targeted his head. Between five and eight forceful strikes were inflicted, including one that came down directly on the top of his head.
The court heard that the force required to cause the skull fractures would have been significant. Some of the blows continued even after Mr Smyth had collapsed to the ground. Ness then delivered a final backheel kick or stamp to the victim, who suffered 75 sites of injury across his body.
Judge Condemns ‘Merciless’ Attack
Sentencing Ness, Judge Sloan made it clear that Mr Smyth was acting heroically in trying to protect his neighbour. The judge dismissed any suggestion of self-defence, stating that Ness had launched a sustained and brutal attack on a man who had shown courage in trying to prevent harm to others.
The court heard that Mr Smyth was completely at Ness’s mercy, but no mercy was shown. Judge Sloan described the attack as particularly savage, with blow after blow delivered to the victim’s body and head. He said Ness had killed in a rage purely because he had not been able to obtain crack cocaine.
Ness will now spend at least 22 years behind bars before he can be considered for parole.
