Killer lay in wait at pensioner’s home

A “TREACHEROUS” family friend in disguise bludgeoned a pensioner to death with a rubber mallet, Manchester Crown Court was told.

Michael Fearon (57) lay in wait at the Milnrow home of 84-year-old Vincent Kershaw and struck him on the back of the head, following up with five or six more blows, “severely” fracturing his skull as his frail victim fought back. Then he stole about £1,500 to pay debts.

Manchester Crown Court was told Fearon, who did odd jobs for Mr Kershaw, would have known the unconscious widower was still alive when he left.

Mr Kershaw was found by police 10 days later, on October 4 last year. It is thought he lay dying for two days.

Sentencing “pathological gambler” Fearon to life, Judge Michael Henshell said: “Mr Kershaw trusted you. You abused that trust in the most horrible and most treacherous manner.”

You knew Mr Kershaw was an easy target who might provide you with easy cash. It was a repugnant act on a frail elderly man.”

Fearon, of Timbercliffe, Littleborough, admitted murder and was sentenced to life, with a minimum term of 25 years before being considered for parole.

Fearon met Mr Kershaw and his wife at Mrs Kershaw’s care home, where he was a maintenance man.

He later did odd jobs for the retired driver, and was even given a spare key.

The court heard it was well known that Mr Kershaw would carry large sums of money. Fearon tracked Mr Kershaw’s visit to a post office to collect his pension before using his key to get into his house.

He waited 50 minutes, covering himself with a dust sheet - with holes cut out for his eyes - before using “quite unnecessary force” to incapacitate the 5ft 4in Mr Kershaw.