Man who claimed self-defence jailed over killing

A man who killed his friend in a brutal attack following an argument has been jailed.

Andrew Boltwood, also known as Andrew Bray, was left with 59 injuries in the attack carried out by Dominic Hall at the disused former Magic Rock Brewery premises in Huddersfield last November.

Police said the 40-year-old victim suffered "significant blunt force head trauma consistent with heavy blows to his face, such as punches or kicks".

Hall, 36, had claimed he had acted in self-defence following an argument but he was found guilty of manslaughter and jailed for 13 years and six months.

Leeds Crown Court was told that Hall and Mr Boltwood had left an address in Cambridge Road together to go the disused premises in Willow Lane in the early hours of 16 November.

Three days later, police issued an appeal for Mr Boltwood after he was reported missing and concerns were raised for his welfare. His body was found by officers inside the premises later that day.

Inquiries led to CCTV being recovered which showed Hall, wearing blood-stained toursers, walking back to Cambridge Road by himself a few hours after he had been seen with Mr Boltwood.

Det Ch Insp Michael Cox, said: "Hall maintained throughout that he had only struck Mr Boltwood in self-defence after the pair began arguing.

"But our investigation proved that the level of force he used went far beyond what would be expected of someone defending themselves."

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