Park killers are guilty: These four men kicked their victim's head to a pulp

12:33pm Friday 21st September 2001

FOUR men have been convicted of the horrific killing of a man whose head was “pulverised” as they took penalty kicks at it.

Stephen Parsons, Michael Hann, Donald Murtagh and Daniel Hall kicked to death loner Darren Gardner, 35, in February this year after he tried to befriend the group.

They lured the builder to Kelsey Park following a drunken evening when the victim asked Parsons' girlfriend, Tracey Grover, if he could have her knickers.

They climbed over a six-foot-high fence and walked along the park pathway before Parsons removed his watch and punched Mr Gardner to the floor.

The assault signalled the start of the sickening killing.

Miss Grover watched horrified as her boyfriend and his pals mercilessly attacked the Mr Gardner.

The Old Bailey heard at one point during the “concerted and cowardly” attack, the four men bent Mr Gardner over a fence and took it in turns to kick his head.

She said: “They were taking steps backwards and then swinging their legs right back before kicking him in the face like someone striking a football.”

Mr Gardner's bloodied body was found slumped in the freezing waters of a stream which runs through the park. He was taken to Bromley Hospital and, despite repeated attempts to resuscitate him, was pronounced dead two hours later.

Paramedic Dave Leahy described how Gardner, from Charlton, suffered the most horrific injuries he had witnessed in his 21-year career. He said: “He had no nose. His face was very puffed up and black in colour. It had been pulverised.”

Outside the court, a statement on behalf of Mr Gardner's Gloucester-based family was read out: “Since the start of this matter, Darren's violent and tragic death has been felt by all his family.

“There was absolutely no justification for the mindless, senseless and violent assault which led to the horrific injuries he received.”

Mr Gardner's uncle, Simon Ross, added: “Five lads went into the park that night but only four of them came out. Darren was a character that everyone liked to be with. He was always good fun.”

Parsons, 22, a scaffolder from Kidbrooke, and Hann, 19, a labourer, of Rockingham Court, Beckenham, were convicted of murder.

Murtagh, 20, a labourer from Graveney Grove, Penge, and Daniel Hall, 19, also a labourer, from Bargrove Close, Penge, were cleared of murder but convicted of manslaughter.

The four were remanded in custody to be sentenced on October 17.

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