Teenagers get life for student's river murder

Two teenagers have been given life sentences for robbing and murdering a 17-year-old student.

Robert Gill was beaten like a "punchbag" and marched to a cashpoint, then thrown into the Great Ouse river in Bedford just after last Christmas.

Sean Downes, 19, of Acacia Road, Bedford, and Thomas Luddington, 18, of Dunham Close, Bedford, were found guilty of robbery, false imprisonment and murder in July.

Luddington had pleaded guilty to manslaughter, robbery and imprisonment but was found guilty of murder.

Downes was sentenced at Luton Crown Court to life imprisonment with a minimum of 17 years.

Luddington was detained at Her Majesty's pleasure for a minimum of 18 years.

A 16-year-old, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was also found guilty of robbery, false imprisonment and manslaughter. He was acquitted of murder.

He was sentenced to four-and-a-half years in custody.

Sentencing, Judge John Bevan QC launched a scathing attack on the youngsters' families and the pubs and clubs which served them drinks.

He said: "There was at least half an hour of robbery, false imprisonment, bullying, punching, humiliating and terrifying a drunk, naive, harmless, non-aggressive, 17-year-old student who soiled himself in fear towards the end of the ordeal.

"There are elements here of parental responsibility, or the lack of it, and also the responsibility of the clubs and pubs in Bedford - in particular the Bricklayers Arms, Midas and New York New York.

"If premises like that put financial gain ahead of the appalling damage they do to youngsters, in particular Robert Gill, they should have a feeling of shame about the events of Boxing Day in Bedford.

During the trial, the court heard Robert, an engineering student, was on a night out with his brother Duncan Ratcliffe when he was attacked by the trio in Bedford.

He and Duncan had been drinking at a pub in Bedford town centre before they went on to the New York New York nightclub.

But shortly after 1am on December 27, Robert was kicked out of the nightclub after he was sick.

Downes and the 16-year-old then marched him to an ATM machine and forced him to enter his PIN but were unable to withdraw money because he had insufficient funds.

All three then escorted him to the riverside in Bedford. CCTV footage showed him trying desperately to escape but they held on to him.

Robert's body was not found until eight days later, when it floated to the surface of the river.

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