Overview

• Joshua Carroll, 30, was sentenced to life imprisonment for the murder of Headley 'Barry' Thomas, a 51-year-old homeless man, in Penn Park, Manchester.
• The attack occurred on September 12, 2022, one day after Carroll absconded from a secure mental health unit at North Manchester General Hospital.
• Carroll inflicted severe injuries on Mr. Thomas, including traumatic brain damage, by stamping on his head in what was described as a 'brutal and ferocious' assault.
• Extensive police investigations, including CCTV analysis and forensic evidence, linked Carroll to the crime; Mr. Thomas' blood was found on Carroll's boot.
• The sentencing highlights systemic issues in mental health care and public safety, as Carroll was not complying with his medication at the time of the attack.