Headless traveller murder: The 'Brutal execution' of an innocent man
A FATHER and son were jailed for life earlier this week for the brutal and savage execution of Northaw traveller John Finney.Following the conviction of Norman Jones, a 50-year-old millionaire racehorse owner, and Joseph Jones, 24, the detective who brought them to justice spoke to the WHT on the steps of St Albans Crown
A FATHER and son were jailed for life earlier this week for the brutal and savage execution of Northaw traveller John Finney.
Norman Jones, a 50-year-old millionaire racehorse owner, and Joseph Jones, 24, were both found guilty of killing Mr Finney.
Following the conviction of Norman and Joseph Jones, the detective who brought them to justice spoke to the WHT on the steps of St Albans Crown Court.
Detective chief inspector Bill Jephson, from the Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire Major Crime Unit, described the evidence against the two men as "overwhelming" and said he was "satisfied" with their conviction.
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"John was the victim of a calculated and pre-planned, savage attack," he said.
"We will never fully understand the motive for such brutality and only those individuals responsible for John's death will know exactly what happened to him."
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The traveller disappeared from his caravan at Park Farm in Northaw Road West on February 29 last year.
His naked, headless and handless body was found dumped behind a garage block in Ickleford a fortnight later.
DCI Jephson believes another murder suspect remains at large and appealed for anyone with information to come forward.
Crown Prosecution Service lawyer Patrick Fields said the murder of Mr Finney had been carried out with "ruthless efficiency".
"This was a painstaking enquiry into a particularly brutal and grisly execution of a man who had done nothing wrong," he said.
Mr Fields also appealed to the murderers to reveal where Mr Finney's head and hands can be found so that they can be laid to rest with him.
Norman Jones, of Princess Park Manor, New Barnet, will serve a minimum of 33 years, while Joseph Jones, of Harlech Road, Palmers Green, will remain behind bars for at least 30 years.
* See this week's WHT for full coverage from the trial's conclusion, including the family's tribute to victim John Finney, how the killers covered their tracks and the background behind millionaire murderer Norman Jones.
