Trio convicted of manslaughter after death of Army veteran Martin Chadburn
By Simon Bristow, Co-Editor
Three people have been found guilty of manslaughter following the death of Army veteran and charity volunteer Martin Chadburn.
Mr Chadburn, 53, died in hospital on April 21 after being attacked in the Queen Victoria Square area of Hull city centre two days earlier.
Lukasz Matusiak, 27, of Needlers Way, west Hull (pictured above, centre), Shaytiya Farrow, 21, of Peter Street, Blackpool (above right), and Britney Naylor, 20, of Dibsdane, Orchard Park, Hull (above left), were convicted by a jury at Hull Crown Court on Monday after a seven-week trial.
They were remanded in custody and are due to be sentenced at the same court on Friday, November 27.
Kristjan Suits, 35, of Queens Road, west Hull, and Bethany Naylor, 20, of Deerhurst Grove, Bransholme, Hull, twin sister of Britney Naylor, were both found not guilty of manslaughter.
Police had been called at about 3.40am on April 19 after reports that a man aged 53 had been seriously assaulted following an altercation outside Princes Quay in Carr Lane. The victim was taken to hospital with a life-threatening head injury and later died from his injuries.
He was named by his family as Martin Chadburn, a volunteer with Armed Forces charity Hull 4 Heroes.
Detectives from the Major Crime Team at Humberside Police launched an investigation and obtained CCTV from the area showing a group of people involved in assaulting Mr Chadburn. Officers visited a bar on Carr Lane the group had visited that night and from CCTV, two men were identified, both confirmed as Suits and Matusiak.
‘DEDICATED HIS LIFE TO HELPING OTHERS’: Martin Chadburn
A taxi used to leave the city centre by the women shortly after the incident was identified and the driver confirmed three women were dropped off at an address on Freemantle Avenue in east Hull.
During the early hours of the next morning, police received a phone call from Bethany Naylor and Shaytiya Farrow placing themselves at the scene and also naming Britney Naylor as being involved in the altercation.
Further enquiries led officers to an address in Blackpool where Farrow and Britney Naylor were located. Bethany Naylor was then located at her home address, and Suits and Matusiak at an address in Hull. All five were initially arrested on suspicion of attempted murder, then further arrested on suspicion of murder following Martin’s death.
Following the verdicts, Detective Chief Inspector Leanne Murphy, Senior Investigating Officer, said: “This is a truly tragic case which began with an altercation in the early hours of the morning and ended with a family losing a loved one.
“Martin was 53-years-old and had the rest of his life ahead of him. Instead, a confrontation escalated into violence, and he suffered injuries which ultimately cost him his life. Nothing can undo the devastating impact Martin’s death has had on his family and those who knew and loved him.
“Fighting with another person can be an impulsive decision in the moment, but this case demonstrates just how awful the consequences of those decisions can be. What may start as an argument or confrontation can very quickly spiral into something which changes lives forever.
“I hope this case serves as a stark reminder that violence is never the answer. Walking away from a confrontation can be one of the most important decisions you make. No moment of anger is worth the devastating consequences that can follow when violence arises.
“I would like to thank the members of the public and local businesses that assisted us with our enquiries, providing crucial information that has supported our investigation and led to this conviction. I am also grateful to the officers and staff who have worked tirelessly throughout this investigation to establish what happened that night and bring those responsible before the courts.”
ACTIVE LIFE: A montage of images of Martin Chadburn released by Hull 4 Heroes
She added: “Violent crime will never be tolerated, and we will ensure anyone who thinks it’s acceptable to unleash violence on our streets will be held accountable.”
Mr Chadburn’s family said: “We would like to give heartfelt gratitude, appreciation and thanks to everyone who has provided support after the tragic and cruel circumstances surrounding Martin’s death.
“We would like to thank the first responders and those who stayed with Martin, providing first aid, the hospital staff who gave empathy to the family and the dignity to Martin in his final hours, all of the police and CPS who ensured quick arrests, transparency throughout the investigation, providing and gathering the evidence and getting the case to trial. Their efficiency and support have been unwavering – thank you.
“We would also like to thank our barristers; their dedication and experience have been unfaltering. They kept the family up to date with legal matters and answered all our many questions. Thank you.
“A massive thank you to family, friends and work colleagues of Martin who have shown and given unbelievable support throughout.
“Nothing will bring Martin back, but his memory will always live on. We will continue to remember Martin as the guy who laughed, enjoyed adventure, loved everyone and gave his heart and soul – living life to the full. The guy who was compassionate, caring and giving. We will miss him more than words can say…. We are broken-hearted.”
Marie Walsh, Senior Crown Prosecutor of CPS Yorkshire and Humberside, said: “Martin Chadburn was a much-loved Army veteran who had dedicated his life to helping others.
“He was viciously assaulted by a group of people who chose violence when they could have walked away. Witnesses described the appalling way he was repeatedly assaulted by the group, even after he had already been knocked to the ground and was unable to defend himself.
“The defendants tried to distance themselves from the consequences of their actions, but we were able to prove how they played a part in his devastating death.
“Our thoughts remain with Martin’s family and loved ones. I hope these convictions can provide them with some measure of justice.”