Overview
- A judge at Worcester Crown Court sentenced Julian Thomas to life with a minimum term of 18 years and 158 days on Friday for the murder of 61‑year‑old Ann Marie Green.
- Court evidence says Thomas drank heavily then drove about 13 miles from Ledbury to Bromyard and arrived around 2.15am before carrying out a violent attack that involved punching, kicking, stamping and likely the use of a broken, blood‑stained lamp.
- Thomas had been on bail for an earlier assault on Ms Green with a condition to stay away from her, a prior offence the court took into account when passing sentence.
- After the killing Thomas made dozens of calls to family, appeared on a blood‑stained video call, fled and hid in nearby bushes, and later denied responsibility to police before pleading guilty at an earlier hearing.
- West Mercia Police called the attack brutal and senseless and the victim’s family have described deep grief as they seek justice while investigators and the Major Investigation Unit were publicly praised for bringing the case to court.