Murderers of Lichfield dad Michael Eccles jailed for life
Oct 2 2009 by Tom Lowe, Press Association
"The Government must see that society is broken. Until there are some serious consequences to their actions, the anti-social element will continue their reign of terror.
"Perhaps the Government should concentrate on our own war on terror - a war against the feral youths that are terrorising our communities."
Mr Bayliss added that Keatley in particular, who Judge Juckes said sent text messages to his girlfriend that indicated he felt "some pride" about the fatal attack, was "absolutely despicable".
Mr Bayliss said: "The fact that, standing in court, he still managed to smile when he has just been given 13 years for murdering a man - the man is absolutely despicable."
But Mr Bayliss paid tribute to Jordan Carroll's mother for testifying against her own son.
"I applaud Sandra Carroll for what she has done. It must have been incredibly difficult - she has done the right thing and we really appreciate what she has done."
The court heard today that, at the time of the attack, Jordan Carroll was on bail in connection with an incident in which a girl was allegedly punched in an argument over a cigarette.
Keatley had also committed 31 previous offences, including battery, assaulting a police officer and shoplifting, prosecutor Gareth Evans QC said.
Speaking outside court, Superintendent Jon Drake, of Staffordshire Police, said the court had imposed the most severe sentence available.
The officer told reporters: "The important thing about life imprisonment is that it does mean that the individuals, although they have had a minimum tariff imposed, they still have actually been sentenced to life in prison.
"The court process has now taken place and nothing can bring Mr Eccles back from such a tragic and horrific murder.
"This is an extremely rare occurrence. This sustained and horrific assault on this man who had just been to the shops is absolutely abhorrent.
"They (Carroll and Keatley) have been sentenced to life imprisonment, which is the most serious possible sentence that the court can impose."
Speaking after the convictions in August, Ian Pinkney, Crown Advocate with Staffordshire Crown Prosecution Service, said: "This was a brutal and senseless crime. Mr Eccles was just doing some shopping when he had the fatal misfortune to encounter these offenders.
"The attack that resulted was savage beyond comprehension and resulted in Mr Eccles' untimely and needless death.
"Our thoughts and sympathies are with Mr Eccles' family and friends at this traumatic time and, whilst we acknowledge that no sentence can repair the damage that this appalling crime has caused, we hope that in some small way this verdict helps them to move forward."
