Peter Bruton – photo supplied by Norfolk Police

 

A man has been jailed for the murder of 39-year-old James Greene in Norwich earlier this year.

Peter Bruton, 27 and of no fixed address, was sentenced to 16 years in prison at Norwich Crown Court today (Friday 29 November) after being found guilty by a jury earlier this week.

Peter Bruton had been staying at James Greene’s flat in Dolphin Grove when he killed him on the evening of Tuesday 4 June 2019.

Officers were called to the address just before 10pm after reports of a disturbance at the flat and on arrival they found James Green unresponsive. He was taken to the Norfolk and Norwich Hospital where he died on Thursday 6 June of multiple organ failure as a result of asphyxiation.

During the trial the court heard how James Greene had fabricated a story to extort £10 from Peter Bruton. Witness evidence described how this plan developed into a heated argument and resulted in Mr Greene sustained what would be fatal injuries.

On sentence Detective Inspector Neil Stewart said: “Today’s sentence reflects the mindless and brutal ferocity in which Peter Bruton inflicted fatal injuries on James Greene. Throughout this trial not only have James’s family had to withstand hearing first-hand accounts from neighbours, recalling the chilling details of their loved one’s last moments. But they have also to endure Bruton’s numerous attempts to frustrate and disrupt the criminal process which started at his first hearing back in June and has continued throughout this trial with his repeated refusals to come to court.

“Our thoughts are with them today in the hope that they can rebuild their lives following the conclusion of this trial and that they will take some solace from the fact that Bruton will not be eligible for parole for a many years”.