Three people have been given custodial sentences for perverting the course of justice in the investigation to find the killer of Andrew Heath, who was killed in an arson attack in Worcester in December 2011.
Mr Heath, aged 52, was found dead following a major fire at his flat in Chedworth Close, Warndon, which occurred at around 4am on Wednesday 14 December, 2011.
Three wheelie bins were placed in the porch of his maisonette’s front door and set alight, which caused a fire that gutted the property and killed Mr Heath.
Last year, Daniel Martin, aged 25 and previously of Canterbury Road, Ronkswood, Worcester, pleaded guilty to manslaughter at Birmingham Crown Court and was sentenced to ten years imprisonment.
At the same court today, Martin’s mother, sister and sister’s partner were all sentenced for perverting the course of justice after providing false information to detectives in attempts to protect Martin.
Teresa Martin, aged 46 and of Rodborough Drive, Worcester, was sentenced to 14 months imprisonment for providing false witness statements after pleading guilty on 31 March.
She lied to detectives about her son’s whereabouts in three interviews where she claimed he was at her home until at least 4.30am on the morning of the fire; however it was proved the fire was started by Martin at around 3.30am.
Following a trial in October 2013, Sarah Martin, aged 27, and her partner Matthew Davies, aged 30, both of Maple Avenue, Worcester, were found guilty of perverting the course of justice.
Martin lied to officers on a number of occasions about her and her brother Danny’s whereabouts the morning of the fire while Davies was found guilty of providing a false statement claiming he knew nothing about the fire or Danny’s involvement, which was later proved to be untrue. At his trial he refused to give evidence in court or to enter the witness box.
Martin was sentenced to 12 months imprisonment and Davies to 10 months.
Detective Superintendent Paul Williamson, who led the investigation into Heath’s death, said: “Those who lie to the police, especially on such a serious case where someone has been killed, will have to face the consequences.
“Despite the main offender in this case, Daniel Martin, admitting he killed Andrew Heath, this has not stopped us pursuing those who have lied to the police in an attempt to protect him.
“We warned the defendants, in person and through the media, that if they did try to shield Martin they would be prosecuted, but they did not heed these warnings.
“Even though they are family members, we expect such loyalties to be put to one side when it comes to facing justice, especially for committing such a serious crime as manslaughter.
“These sentences follow the imprisonment of three men in March 2013 for attempting to intimidate witnesses in the case via social media. I hope our actions show anyone contemplating trying to disrupt the court or justice systems that the police and the courts do not take such activity lightly and they will be punished for their actions.”
All three defendants have already served enough time in prison on remand or on a tag that they have completed their sentences and as such have been released from custody.