[A] man has been jailed for 19 years for the brutal murder of a jogger in Preston on New Year’s Day.
Nathan Richardson, 19, of no fixed address, appeared at Preston Crown Court today (Monday June 12th) to be sentenced for the killing of 67-year-old Wen Qing Xu on the morning of January 1st.
Mr Xu, a Chinese national who lived with his family in Preston, was beaten to death while jogging in the Plungington area.
It is believed he crossed paths with Richardson, who was making his way home from a house party on Eversleigh Street, sometime shortly after 7.40am.
Richardson launched an unprovoked attack on his victim, kicking and stamping on his body and head, causing extensive and catastrophic injuries.
He was eventually seen dragging Mr Xu’s unconscious and partially-clothed body along Hammond Street, close to Plungington Community Centre, where he was disturbed by two members of the public at around 8.10am.
He made off from the scene, leaving Mr Xu behind. Paramedics were called and Mr Xu was taken to Royal Preston Hospital, but was sadly pronounced dead a short time later.
A murder investigation was launched and officers quickly made the link to Richardson.
A sock, stained with Mr Xu’s blood and with Richardson’s DNA on it, was located by a police dog close to Mr Xu’s body. A cider bottle with Richardson’s DNA on it was found nearby. Mr Xu’s blood was also on a pair of socks which were found behind a wall, on Bold Street, in the direction Richardson had run after being disturbed.
Telephone analysis also showed Richardson had sent several messages immediately after the murder making reference to having killed someone in Plungington. He also made verbal confessions to family members later that day.
Following the murder a friend of Richardson’s – Luke Jenkinson, 22, of De Lacy Street, Preston – let Richardson into his home and helped him dispose of key evidence by washing blood-stained clothing, while providing him with clean clothes to wear.
After his arrest Richardson admitted killing Mr Xu, but in police interview consistently refused to say why it had happened.
Toxicology results taken after Richardson’s arrest showed he had a cocktail of drugs in his system, including cocaine, MDMA, MDA and cannabinoids.
Last week Jenkinson admitted the charge of assisting an offender and was also sentenced today to 33 months in prison.
Detective Chief Inspector Gary Brooks, of the Lancashire Police Force Major Investigation Team, said: “Nathan Richardson carried out what can only be described as a sustained, brutal and sadistic attack on an entirely innocent man.
“In my 24 years with the police, I can honestly say I’ve never seen injuries as bad as those inflicted on Mr Xu.
“When he left the house on the morning of January 1st he had no reason to believe he might not make it home. His family, who have been left devastated by his death, had no reason to think it would be the last time they saw him alive.
“Jenkinson later added to their misery by allowing Richardson into his home and helping him dispose of key evidence.
“I would now like to thank Mr Xu’s family for the dignity with which they have conducted themselves throughout this investigation.
“My colleagues, all of whom have worked extremely hard to gather evidence and build a case against Richardson and Jenkinson, must also be praised. The scene that confronted them on New Year’s Day was incredibly shocking, and their professionalism and dedication to this case cannot be understated.
“I am satisfied that the sentences handed down today are entirely fitting, and I would like to thank His Honour for ensuring justice has been served.”
