Tri-Service

Man Jailed For Life For Shooting Dead Homeless Ex-Soldier

A man who shot dead a homeless ex-soldier before bragging about the murder has been given a life sentence.

26-year-old Richard Donovan was told he must spend at least 30 years in prison at Maidstone Crown Court.

He killed 59-year-old Philip Fox with a shotgun in a remote wood in Wincheap, Canterbury in August 2015.

Mr Fox's remains were found in his tent eight months later, in April 2016.

The court heard that Donovan was arrested by Kent police after they linked shotgun pellets found in the victim's body to his killer.

A post mortem confirmed the death was caused by shotgun injuries.

The pellets in Mr Fox matched ones found lodged in a garden shed that Donovan had fired at while he was staying in Ramsgate.

Witnesses told the court the killer owned a shotgun, which he carried around in three pieces in a bag.

Donovan believed his victim had seen him with the shotgun on wasteland.

After drinking alcohol he followed Mr Fox to his tent, gave him a beer and engaged him in conversation before murdering him.

A woman came forward to tell police that she believed Donovan had killed Mr Fox after reading media reports about the murder.

She said she was on her way to meet Donovan when she heard a loud bang and saw him running towards her.

He told her he had shot the homeless man and then threatened to kill her and her family if she told anyone.

Senior investigating officer Detective Chief Inspector Tony Pledger of the Kent and Essex Serious Crime Directorate said:

"Donovan is a dangerous individual who, fuelled by drink, shot an unarmed homeless man. There can be no reasonable explanation for his dreadful actions and the unimaginable loss he has caused."

"Officers were determined to piece together what happened and bring the case before the courts, and I would like to thank the media, for their coverage of the investigation, and the members of the public, who came forward with invaluable information."

"My sympathies are with the friends and family of Mr Fox and I hope today’s verdict has brought them some reassurance."

Another man, Tony Hindmarsh, was acquitted by the jury of supplying Donovan with the murder weapon but was sentenced to 12 months for posesing prohibited ammunition.