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Murderer who burned clothes after fatal attack jailed

Robby WestBBC News, Norfolk, Norwich Crown Court
News imageNorfolk Police Police body-worn footage of Martin Montgomery outside a building in an alleyway. He is wearing a hoodie and looking up.Norfolk Police
Martin Montgomery was arrested while trying to burn the clothes he was wearing during the attack

A murderer who killed a man by kicking him in the face and was arrested while trying to burn his own clothes has been given a life sentence.

Martin Montgomery, 32, attacked Nigel Mazs, 59, in a row over drug-taking outside his home in Great Yarmouth, Norfolk, causing him to hit his head on concrete.

Judge Alice Robinson said Montgomery showed "no genuine remorse" for the attack and told him he must serve a minimum of 12 years in prison.

He had previously admitted manslaughter but was convicted of murder following a nine-day trial at Norwich Crown Court.

News imageNorfolk Police Nigel Mazs standing on a beach on a hot day smiling with his shirt open. Norfolk Police
Nigel Mazs' family said losing him had been "heartbreaking"

The attack happened at a communal stairwell in a block of flats at Malakoff Close, Great Yarmouth, on 22 December last year.

Montgomery kicked Mr Mazs as he bent over, with the subsequent fall causing a brain haemorrhage.

Mr Mazs was taken to the James Paget University Hospital in Gorleston, then transferred to Addenbrooke’s Hospital in Cambridge and placed into an induced coma.

He never regained consciousness and died on 4 January.

News imageNorfolk Police A police mugshot of Martin Montgomery. He has short brown hair and is wearing a t-shirt.Norfolk Police
Montgomery had "taken exception" to the victim's drug taking, police said

Montgomery was burning the clothes he wore during the attack on a barbecue when police arrived and could be heard saying to officers "fair enough” when arrested.

William Carter, prosecuting, read a statement on behalf of Mr Mazs' family and said the father, grandfather and brother was "not aggressive in his nature".

He continued: "Substances was his way of escapism from the abuse he received from our parents.

"We are drowning in the pain of the violence of his death."

Judge Alice Robinson said Mr Mazs "had a problem with drink and drugs but didn't deserve to die".

She told Montgomery: "He had done nothing to you."

Defence barrister John Morgans said Montgomery was sorry for "the tragic consequences in that thoughtless moment".

News imageShaun Whitmore/BBC Det Insp Alix Wright, with long blonde hair and wearing a black coat and brown top, stands in front of a flint wall Shaun Whitmore/BBC
Det Insp Alix Wright said she hoped Montgomery's sentence would help the victim's family move on

Det Insp Alix Wright, from Norfolk Police, said Montgomery used "severe" force on his victim.

"The attack by Martin Montgomery was completely unprovoked on somebody who was not showing them any aggression whatsoever and was actually leaving at the time," she said.

"We welcome today's sentencing for the murder conviction and thank the jury.

"Hopefully this will give some sort of closure to Nigel Mazs' family."

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