Man jailed for life for murdering convicted child sex offender

Stroud: A 66-year-old man named Anthony Gardiner has been sentenced to life in prison for the murder of 76-year-old John Coxon, a convicted sex offender. The incident took place in January 2022 when Gardiner attacked Coxon in his home, leading to serious injuries.

Gardiner was arrested after Coxon died in the hospital a few months later. The court learned that Gardiner had a history of violence and had previously exploited Coxon for money. He even tried to get a reward for finding Coxon’s lost wallet, which raised suspicions.

Coxon, who suffered from Alzheimer’s and diabetes, was found injured in his kitchen by a caregiver. The injuries he sustained led to complications that ultimately caused his death. Gardiner initially denied the attack but later confessed to prison guards and wrote to the police admitting his guilt.

During the trial, it was revealed that Gardiner had premeditated the attack, although he claimed he didn’t intend to kill Coxon. The judge described the assault as brutal and noted Gardiner’s lack of remorse. He was sentenced to life with a minimum of 20 years before he can be considered for release.

Detective Inspector Adam Stacey commented on the case, emphasizing how Gardiner had taken advantage of Coxon and then attacked him in his own home. Now, Gardiner will face a long time behind bars for his actions.