A PREDATORY drug addict has been convicted of murder after he beat a pensioner to death as he was unpacking his shopping at home.
Callous Jay Gallier, 33, set upon “quiet” Barry Johnson in August 2021, at his flat in Dudley, West Midlands.
The 67-year-old’s body was discovered days later when a loved one came round to check on him.
Gallier was convicted of murder today at Wolverhampton Crown Court.
Jurors heard that he used some of his benefit money to buy heroin and cannabis.
They were told that he circled Barry’s building several times before gaining entry and carrying out the heinous crime.
A post-mortem revealed that Barry died from “blunt force” injuries after he was struck in the head and neck.
These included part of his lip coming away from the inside of his mouth and a broken nose.
A pair of blue ladies slippers, which Gallier was seen taking from the lobby area of the building, and a cigarette butt with his DNA on were also found in the flat.
Trousers drenched in Barry’s blood were discovered in the thug’s home and he was arrested.
He is yet to show any remorse or give any reason why he committed the murder for which he now faces life behind bars.
Detective Sergeant Neal Hudson, who led the murder investigation, said: “This was a harrowing case which involved a needless and violent assault on an elderly man in his own home.
“Only Gallier knows why he attacked Mr Johnson that day and to date he has shown no remorse for his actions nor offered any explanation for what he did.
“This conviction means a violent individual has been removed from the streets and we can only hope that Mr Johnson’s family can draw some comfort from the justice that has been served.”
