2023: DUDLEY MAN JAILED FOR LIFE FOR MURDERING PENSIONER
THE killer of Barry Johnson - a pensioner from Brierley Hill who was attacked in his home while unpacking his shopping - has been jailed for life.Jay Gallier, aged 33, of Salop Road, Dudley, was found guilty of the murder of 67-year-old Mr Johnson after a trial at Wolverhampton Crown Court last month.
Mr Johnson’s body was found on the floor of his flat in Dean Court, Brierley Hill, in August 2021 by a relative who visited to check on his welfare.
A post-mortem revealed he had died after being beaten around the head and neck.
Gallier was sentenced to life imprisonment at Wolverhampton Crown Court on Thursday, April 27, and will serve a minimum term of 21 years.
Mr Johnson was attacked just a few feet from his front door after he had been interrupted from unpacking his shopping.
The court heard how Gallier, who had a history of drug use, had circled the block of flats where Mr Johnson lived trying several times to gain entry.
Forensic experts searched the victim’s flat and found a cigarette butt near to the body.
DNA evidence collected from the cigarette identified Gallier, placing him inside the flat.
And when officers searched Gallier’s home they found blood stained trousers which, when tested showed they were covered in Mr Johnson’s blood.
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 Jay 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.”
