A petty dispute over a PlayStation ended in the savage death of a man in Birmingham, after he was bludgeoned 112 times by his own best friend.
Frenzied Attack in Tyseley
Kenneth Ford, 30, was murdered in a bedsit on Colebrook Road in Tyseley, where he lived with killer Gary O’Neill. The two men had moved to Birmingham from Ireland and were sharing the property when an argument escalated into a violent frenzy. O’Neill attacked Kenneth with a claw hammer, causing catastrophic head and facial injuries, described by forensics as the worst they’d seen.
Hammer Blow After Dispute Over Console
O’Neill claimed the row started when Kenneth refused to return his PlayStation. He alleged that Kenneth struck him first, prompting him to retaliate with a hammer he found in a tool bag. O’Neill later said he couldn’t remember how many times he struck Kenneth, or that the attack had continued upstairs. Blood was found throughout the property, with clotted pools on a sofa and banisters, indicating a prolonged and brutal assault.
Manhunt Across the UK
After the attack, O’Neill fled Birmingham with a large shopping bag, boarding a coach to Carlisle before continuing north towards Glasgow. He was eventually arrested in Scotland after behaving erratically and harassing bus passengers. Upon arrest, O’Neill asked officers if Kenneth had died and began crying. He then asked: “How long do you get for murder?” but insisted it was an accident.
Guilty of Manslaughter
Despite initially denying murder, O’Neill later admitted to the killing, pleading guilty to manslaughter on the grounds of diminished responsibility. A forensic psychologist testified that O’Neill had suffered brain damage years earlier, which may have affected his behaviour. The jury at Birmingham Crown Court accepted the plea, finding him not guilty of murder but guilty of manslaughter. He was sentenced to 15 years in prison and will remain on licence for life.
Killer Never Showed Remorse
Police never recovered the murder weapon. Detective Inspector Michelle Thurgood said: “The jury’s verdict was difficult for Kenneth’s family. Diminished responsibility provides a reason, not an excuse.” Kenneth’s family continue to mourn a son lost to a senseless act of violence, triggered by a row over a games console.
