Wayne and Riley Peckham: Father-son duo convicted of murder for beating estranged wife's lover to death like 'pack of animals'
Warning: The article contains a graphic description of the crime that may trigger some readers. Discretion is advised.
NORFOLK, ENGLAND: In a disturbing incident, a man and his son taunted his estranged wife's new partner before brutally attacking and killing him. Wayne Peckham, 49, and his son Riley, 23, sought out Matthew Rodwell, 39, before acting like "a pack of animals" and beating him to death.
Matthew, who was a father of two, had been in a relationship with Wayne's estranged wife Kerry Peckham. The Peckham father and son relentlessly pursued Matthew and found him hiding in a wardrobe at Kerry's home in Downham Market, Norfolk. Riley callously taunted him by shouting phrases such as "here doggy," "good boy," and "you're going to die," before subjecting him to a violent attack that included kicking, stamping, and punching him.
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Matthew Rodwell died from manual strangulation
During the court proceedings at Norwich Crown Court, it was revealed that the father-son duo hit and strangled him at the bottom of the staircase. Kerry attempted to intervene and placed herself between him and the Peckham father and son in an effort to stop the violence but to no avail. Tragically, Matthew was declared dead at the scene.
According to the post-mortem report, Matthew had sustained 40 significant injuries as a result of repeated kicks, stamps, and punches. The probable cause of his death was determined to be manual strangulation. Further evidence presented during the trial revealed Matthew's blood on Wayne and Riley's clothes. His DNA was also found under the fingernails of both men, while Riley's DNA was detected around Matthew's neck.
Both father and son were given sentences of 24 and 18 years, respectively, for committing murder. The verdict was announced by the Norwich Crown Court, Norfolk, on Tuesday, April 18, 2023, following a six-week trial during which the jury deliberated for 10 hours before reaching a unanimous guilty verdict. Throughout the proceedings, the pair had pleaded not guilty to the charges against them.
'The attack wasn't spontaneous'
Judge Anthony Bate said, "Wayne had committed targetted vandalism to Matthew's car, stalked him on previous occasions and set fire to a coat Matthew bought for Wayne's youngest son Harvey and posted the video on Facebook," as per Daily Mail.
The judge added, "Riley took his father's side against Matthew. Their visit [to Matthew's house] was no speculative social call. They suspected Matthew was there with Kerry and decided to do him serious harm. This was a brutal and sustained assault on a man in his home and in front of her partner who was herself injured. The attack wasn't spontaneous. The premeditation by Wayne Peckham is significant."