James Newton-Price QC has successfully prosecuted Darren McClean for the murder of an elderly man at his home in the early phase of lockdown. Mr Dennis Kellond, an 88 year old widower, was shielding at home in Godstone, Surrey, on 25 April 2020 when the defendant burgled his house and killed him in a brutal attack then stole his phone to call his drug dealers. The defendant claimed that others were responsible for the murder, but this was shown to be untrue by a thorough police investigation of local CCTV and a fingertip forensic examination of the scene. The defendant eventually admitted manslaughter but his plea was rejected by the Prosecution. Following a trial at Guildford Crown Court, the Jury unanimously convicted him of murder after only three hours of deliberations. On 22 October 2020, Judge Jonathan Black sentenced McClean to life imprisonment with a minimum term of 32 years after hearing victim personal statements from the victim’s children and grandchildren.

For further details of the case as reported in the media please click here.