AN 'EXTREMELY VIOLENT' man has been found guilty of murdering a greenkeeper at Reading Train Station by hitting him on the back of the head with a metallic horseshoe.
Kirkpatrick Virgo attacked Thomas Parker in what police have described as a 'senseless act of violence' after the pair argued over loud music from a boombox speaker on a train.
The 42-year-old, from Whitby Road in Slough, admitted manslaughter and carrying the offensive weapon which his defence described as his 'lucky charm', but denied murder.
The jury delivered a guilty verdict this afternoon after deliberating for almost three hours and 49 minutes.
READ MORE: Driver JAILED for drunkenly 'ramming' police car on A14
Sitting in the dock in a white shirt, Virgo looked stoic when the verdict was delivered and showed no reaction this afternoon (March 29). People could be heard crying from the public gallery.
Throughout the trial, the jury heard that Mr Parker had been travelling back from watching an Arsenal football game with his brother, Craig, and their two friends when the incident happened.
They were on the train when the defendant and two friends got on the train at Slough with one of Virgo’s friends carrying a boombox playing music.
A verbal altercation took place between Mr Parker’s brother and the defendant’s group of friends which was then stopped by an off-duty officer.
However, the altercation continued when the train pulled into Reading.
READ MORE: Woman 'agitated and restless’ before fatal fall from height at Reading Station
Prosecuting, Tahir Khan said: “When the train pulled into Reading, the defendant pulled out a heavy metallic horseshow from his rucksack.
“We say the defendant was upset about the previous argument and was intent on doing some serious damage.
“The defendant followed after Thomas Parker and brought the heavy metallic weapon down on Thomas Parker’s head.
“Thomas Parker fell onto the floor and sadly never got up. He was wounded by a single blow the defendant delivered and the defendant then ran away.”
Emergency services tended to Mr Parker who was sadly pronounced dead at 12.40am on July 31, 2022.
A pathology report noted that he had bruising on the left side of the back of his head from a ‘blunt impact’.
It added that the injury caused bleeding into the space around the brain and ‘death followed soon after’.
READ MORE: Woman tragically found dead after plastic toilet caught fire inside her home
Virgo, who had previously pleaded guilty to manslaughter and possession of an offensive weapon, will be sentenced on Friday morning (March 31).
Judge Amjad Nawaz said: "This the most serious offence anyone can be sentenced for."
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article