Two ‘outrageous’ teenage members of murderer Kevin

Two ‘outrageous’ teenage members of murderer Kevin Gallagher’s
gang of ‘queer bashers’ have been sentenced to youth custody.

George Dean, 18, and Justin ‘Jack’ Benham, 17, acted as
‘bait’ to lure homosexuals into the woods at a Croydon beauty
spot where Gallagher could attack them.

On March 1 last year, victim Mr William Holland was beaten
unconscious by him then gratuitously had his leg savagely broken
before being left in the undergrowth.

Thirteen days later, Benham acted as lookout for Gallagher
when another queer bashing robbery to get money for a night out
ended in the murder of chauffeur Mr Ronald Eades.

Gallagher, 32, was sentenced to life imprisonment for murder
and robbery last year.

Benham, of Reedham Drive, Purley, and Dean, of Upper Pillory
Downs, Wallington, received youth custody for their part in the
‘unnecessary and ferocious’ attack on Mr Holland.

They both admitted robbery.

Benham further admitted manslaughter for the death of Mr
Eades, 55, of Hookwood, Surrey.

The prosecution accepted that
he had no idea savage violence was going to be used.

The court was told Mr Holland had stopped off at Addington
Hills car park, a notorious late night meeting place for
homosexual men, late on March 1 to use the public toilet.

As he got out of his car, he was suddenly attacked by a
group of people demanding money, said Mr Charles Miskin,
prosecuting.

‘It could only be described as a brutal attack.

He was beaten
around the head and passed out.

In the course of this his leg
was broken.

‘After his attackers left, he crawled to the road and flagged
down a car.

‘He spent 10 days in hospital.

‘
Benham, Dean and Gallagher later boasted about the success of
the ‘queer bashing’ mission.

They took out money from Mr Holland’s cashpoint card and Dean
later used the victim’s chequebook to buy an extravagant Chinese
meal.

Then on March 13, Benham accompanied Gallagher back to the
car park to mug another gay man.

He knew violence was going to
be used but did not know Gallagher would stab Mr Eades to death.

Benham’s evidence helped convict Gallagher, a printer of
Sanderstead Road, South Croydon, of murder and related offences.

Judge Henry Pownall QC was told Benham had never been in
trouble with the law before meeting Gallagher.

Dean had two convictions for threatening behaviour.

Miss Anne Rafferty QC, for Benham, said he had fallen under
the wing of Gallagher at a crucial moment of his life.

‘Gallagher was aggressive towards him and had an influence
over him.

‘He is a little lad who cried his eyes out before coming to
court.

‘
His father, Mr Norman Benham, said the last 12 months had
seen a dramatic change in his son.

‘He has matured a great deal in the last year.

He’s grown up.

‘We’re standing by him, absolutely.

‘
Mr David Hollis, for Dean, said his client fell into bad
company after leaving school with no qualifications and being
unable to find work because of his dyslexia.

‘He is sincerely remorseful.

He was not an active, major
participant.

‘
Judge Pownall told Benham and Dean he accepted that they were
both ‘deeply ashamed’ over their role as Gallagher’s sidekicks.

‘The robbery of Mr Holland was not only outrageous but was
carried out with quite dreadful and unnecessary ferocity to a
man who had done no harm to you at all.

‘Your roles were small compared to Gallagher but they were
important, be they as bait or as lookouts.

‘I accept that you were both led by your much older so-called
friend, Gallagher, who was a very nasty piece of work.

‘Mr Holland was left grievously injured and I cannot help
feeling you must have realised that because he never reappeared
from the bushes before you left the scene.

‘
Dean did not react as he was sentenced to a total of two
years detention in a young offenders institution for robbery
and obtaining property by deception.

The judge said Benham had played a small but important part
in the ‘really rather horrific’ death of Mr Eades.

On the other hand, his ‘very courageous’ decision to give
evidence against him deserved full credit.

‘I think you are a young man with standards – standards which
sadly left you in February and March last year.

‘
Benham was sentenced to 15 months in a young offenders
institution for manslaughter and robbery.

ENDS