Freed from jail.. days before he killed OAP
Robbery gang leader admits knife attack on Irishman, 87
CHILLING CCTV footage shows hardened criminal Lee Byer wearing blood-stained gloves and holding a knife after stabbing to death an Irish OAP in his mobility scooter.
Just five days earlier, Byer had been released from prison after serving a 12-year sentence for leading a robbery gang.
Yesterday the 45-year-old – who was suffering from paranoia and delusions – admitted the manslaughter of much-loved Thomas O’halloran, 87.
Grandfather Thomas was originally from Co Clare and had been well known in the local community.
He was said to be a passionate musician and described as “very popular” in Greenford, often busking for charity.
Thomas was found on his scooter with multiple stab wounds on August 16, 2022. Byer was seen on CCTV heading towards a passageway at the same time as Thomas. Later, Byer was seen with the knife in Greenford, West London.
He was then caught on camera depositing a knife handle in a drain. The blade was never recovered but analysis found Thomas’s blood on the handle.
Judge Mark Lucraft adjourned sentencing at the Old Bailey until May 10. He said: “The issue will be to consider the degree of responsibility at the time.”
The killer had 15 previous convictions for 30 offences dating back to when he was 14.
In 2011 he was convicted of being the head of a gang of 30 crooks who raided jewellers across London and the Home Counties.
He recruited and organised crew of young robbers, which led to him being compar-ed to Fagin from Oliver Twist.
In one terrifying incident, two masked men in boiler suits threatened staff with a handgun and said they were going to “shut up” a screaming two-year-old. Det Chief Insp Pam Mace, then head of the Flying Squad at Barnes, West London, said: “Lee Byer was a prominent and influential figure within West London crime circles. He controlled a violent gang of young men,.
“I would like to pay tribute to the victims, including very young children, who have been traumatised by the actions of this gang.”
Met Police Det Chief Inspector Laura Nelson said: “First and foremost, my thoughts today are with Thomas’s family, who continue to feel the loss of their much-loved father and grandfather.
“It is the conclusion of mental health experts that Byer was psychotic when he attacked and killed Thomas O’halloran.”
He had control of a violent gang of robbers
DCI PAM MACE ON BYER’S 2011 CONVICTION