Men jailed for robbery in which victim died

Christopher Walker Christopher Walker

Two men have been jailed for at least 12 years their part in a Southend robbery in which the victim died.

Southwalk Crown Court today gave John Nafzger, 40, of Westbury Road, Southend, an indeterminate sentence for the manslaughter of Christopher Ryan last November.

He must serve a minimum of seven years.

Christopher Walker, 24, of Mansted Garden, Rochford, was given a five-year sentence for robbery.

Mr Ryan, 45, was found with serious head injuries inside his flat in Coleman Street on November 17. He died in hospital a few days later.

During a three-week trial, the court had heard that the two men went to Mr Ryan’s home to steal cannabis plants they knew he was cultivating. They waited near Mr Ryan’s flat and Nafzger attacked him when he returned home and opened the front door. He was left with severe head injuries.

Senior investigating officer DI Martin Pasmore, of Kent and Essex Serious Crime Directorate, said after the hearing: "John Nafzger has a long history of violence and drug-related crime. Hopefully the indeterminate sentence will ensure that he is not released until he is no longer a danger to the public and in particular to vulnerable people like Christopher Ryan.

"I hope Mr Ryan’s family will gain a level of closure from this sentence and can move on with their lives.

"The judge accepted that Walker played no part in the violence used against Mr Ryan and that he was led by Nafzger in committing the robbery and the sentence reflects this. I hope that without the influence of Nafzger, Walker carves out a decent life for himself when he is released from prison.”

Comments(20)

perini says...
3:32pm Wed 12 Sep 12

More pathetic sentencing!

Southchurch Steve says...
4:15pm Wed 12 Sep 12

They're unlucky. Had they been tried in Basildon or Southend they probably would have received a non-custodial sentence and a bravery award.

firedog says...
4:17pm Wed 12 Sep 12

They will be out soon,the way things are going.

Brunning999 says...
4:31pm Wed 12 Sep 12

The party of Law and Order certainly has impressed me with the way they have continued at a faster pace than the last lot in power the complete destruction of any form of deterrent sentence punishment or even common sense (7 years what a joke) the offence of Robert carries an 18 year sentence alone.

Brunning999 says...
4:32pm Wed 12 Sep 12

The party of Law and Order certainly has impressed me with the way they have continued at a faster pace than the last lot in power the complete destruction of any form of deterrent sentence punishment or even common sense (7 years what a joke) the offence of Robbery carries an 18 year sentence alone.

1nails says...
4:43pm Wed 12 Sep 12

What's the point of sentencing a man to twelve years, and then telling him that , he will have to serve six. ????

Soouthchurch59 says...
5:26pm Wed 12 Sep 12

The clue is 'indeterminate sentence'.

There are people in our prisons doing indeterminate sentences of as little as 30mths who (having killed no one) are 5yrs *over* tariff.

With form such as the ringleader has, he will, I suspect, be well into double figures before even being considered for release.

Ma white62 says...
6:34pm Wed 12 Sep 12

Two more scum of the street not long enough though

beyond the valley of the asbos says...
10:54pm Wed 12 Sep 12

"I hope that without the influence of Nafzger, Walker carves out a decent life for himself when he is released from prison"
what planet are these judges living on?

boom2012 says...
2:43am Thu 13 Sep 12

Are you saying no-one is capable of turning their life around?
Surely the whole purpose of prison is to rehabilitate the offender. This young man is only 24 years old and when he is released he has his whole life Ahead of him. Hopefully he will think before he acts next time. Everyone deserves a second chance.

maywood says...
7:30am Thu 13 Sep 12

Ponder this. The chap who was killed was growing cannabis,not a reason to murder this chap i agree,point is this,they knew he was growing it he suffered the consequences,and I do not agree with the sentence they were given they took a life they both deserve a longer term in prison,before this policy of no hanging this would have been a capital offense.

Soouthchurch59 says...
7:51am Thu 13 Sep 12

maywood wrote:
Ponder this. The chap who was killed was growing cannabis,not a reason to murder this chap i agree,point is this,they knew he was growing it he suffered the consequences,and I do not agree with the sentence they were given they took a life they both deserve a longer term in prison,before this policy of no hanging this would have been a capital offense.
I didn't realize someone could speak so much rubbish is so few words!

Soouthchurch59 says...
7:53am Thu 13 Sep 12

Soouthchurch59 wrote:
maywood wrote:
Ponder this. The chap who was killed was growing cannabis,not a reason to murder this chap i agree,point is this,they knew he was growing it he suffered the consequences,and I do not agree with the sentence they were given they took a life they both deserve a longer term in prison,before this policy of no hanging this would have been a capital offense.
I didn't realize someone could speak so much rubbish is so few words!
*in

Joe Hune says...
1:16pm Thu 13 Sep 12

Ma white62 wrote:
Two more scum of the street not long enough though
Agree.

Some scum off the streets for a while is better than nothing.

In these days of 'do as you like' we can only hope that they get some form of custodial sentence.

Scum, enjoy your prison cell for a while :)

Basildon.lad.21 says...
4:34pm Thu 13 Sep 12

All of this over a bit of weed. How pathetic lol. Just proves how people will go to get there hands on it. In this case, murder!

beyond the valley of the asbos says...
10:13pm Thu 13 Sep 12

another great advertisement for cannabis....

beyond the valley of the asbos says...
10:18pm Thu 13 Sep 12

boom2012 wrote:
Are you saying no-one is capable of turning their life around?
Surely the whole purpose of prison is to rehabilitate the offender. This young man is only 24 years old and when he is released he has his whole life Ahead of him. Hopefully he will think before he acts next time. Everyone deserves a second chance.
you think prison rehabilitates? how could incarceration with a load of bad apples possibly put you on the straight and narrow. dream on! should mass murderers get a 2nd chance?

Alec Cikes says...
9:52pm Fri 14 Sep 12

A few reflexions to mediatate & refelct: Respect of oneself, respect of other lives.
A long journey that can give Life changing options & conditions if the right conditions are put in place for change.

v.randy says...
10:26pm Fri 14 Sep 12

Congradulations to all the leftie do-gooders,social workers ,judges and the police force.
Here we have two violent criminals with long records getting nicked and released time and time again,pandered to by the spineless lefties and allowed to walk the streets ..that is until one of them plunged a screwdriver through someones head.This scum should have been banged up years ago instead they are free to commit murder.So eventually after years of violence our wonderful police force finally get their act together and the two go down (briefly)..but the judge wishes the violent murderers all the best when they get out....I give up ,whats the frigging point!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
!!!!!

AND what the hell is Alec Cikes on

Nebs says...
9:16am Wed 19 Sep 12

Judges should be elected.

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