CHRISTOPHER HORN has been sentenced to life imprisonment for the murder of Neil Bennett in July last year.

He will concurrently serve a minimum of 25 years for murder and 12 years for wounding with intent. Horn was unanimously convicted following a 6 week trial at Bristol Crown Court.

Christopher Peter Horn, 29, of Denmark Road, Gloucester, killed Mr Bennett, 50, outside Spa Villas on Montpellier in Gloucester on July 27 last year.

The jury found Horn’s co-defendants Ricky Lee James (33), of Spa Villas, Montpellier, Gloucester, Tyler Johnson (25) of no fixed abode, and Lucy Dowdal (19), of Spa Villas, Montpellier, Gloucester not guilty.

Detective Inspector Ian Ginn who led the investigation said:
“This was a violent attack which left a family without a son, brother and uncle and our thoughts are with Neil Bennett’s family at this time. 

"In this case the victim and his killer were known to each other and the underlying issue of drugs was also an aggravating factor. If you live, work or socialise in Gloucester, you should not be unduly worried about your safety."