Seven men jailed over farm killing

Seven men have been jailed over a farm burglary that led to a businessman being crushed to death.

The men were sentenced for their part in the burglary in which Julian Gardner (pictured), a 52-year-old who ran an agricultural machinery repair business, was tragically killed.

His business partner found Mr Gardner lying dead after the raid at Bush Barn Farm, near Robertsbridge, East Sussex, in October 2010.

At Lewes Crown Court on Wednesday (11 April), brothers Terrence (42) and Marcus Bristow (32), both from Great Chart, near Ashford, Kent, were both jailed for 11 years for the manslaughter of Mr Gardner.

Accomplices Lee Delay, 23, of Tunbridge Wells, Kent, and Paul Dunn, 33, from Cranbrook, Kent, were each jailed for seven years for manslaughter. Christopher Leek, 31, of Cranbrook, Kent, was jailed for four-and-a-half years for conspiracy to commit burglary and conspiracy to pervert the course of justice.

Oliver Payne, 25, of Tunbridge Wells, was jailed for three years for conspiracy to commit burglary and conspiracy to pervert the course of justice, and Terrence Dunn, 57, of Sandhurst, Kent, was sentenced to 18 months for conspiracy to pervert the course of justice.

Following sentencing, Sussex Police released a statement on behalf of Mr Gardner’s mother, Molly Gardner, and sister, Anna Murphy.

“Thanks to the justice system of this country, those responsible for this appalling crime have now been found guilty, which as far as we’re concerned was the only possible outcome,” said the statement.

“Those criminals now convicted appear to have shown no remorse for their actions. All those present that night bear responsibility and must live with Julian’s death on their conscience forever.

“They know that they will eventually be released from their sentence. However, we as Julian’s family will never be released from our sorrow.

“Our Julian was above all a good and decent man who worked hard all his life. Before he had the opportunity to sit back and enjoy the results of his lifetime’s work, these men who have been convicted felt they had the right to steal all that Julian had worked for but succeeded only in robbing him of his life.

“All those that loved Julian are united in the grief we feel at the loss of this special son, brother, father and friend.”

• Following the end of the trial, the Game & Wildlife Conservancy Trust announced details of an annual photographic competition in Mr Gardner’s memory. For more details, visit the website