Burglar’s sick tribute after raiding dead friend’s home
HE STOLE WHILE MAN LAY DEAD FOR DAYS
A HEARTLESS man paid tribute to his friend after his body was found, despite knowing he had been dead for days.
Brian Thompson, 59, of Somercales Street, off Beverley Road, had been entering the home of his friend Adrian Carter for three days to steal from him - eight days before Mr Carter’s body was found.
Thompson, who has been jailed for five years after being found guilty of burglary and preventing and concealing the lawful burial of Mr Carter, paid a sickening tribute to him.
Thompson, alongside Mr Carter’s heartbroken family, told a Mail reporter he was “devastated” his friend had died.
Mr Carter was found dead at his home in Beverley Road by his landlord and a work colleague on May 28.
He had last been seen on May 17 when he had spent time in his flat with a friend.
Thompson paid tribute to Mr Carter and said: “I am in shock with it all.
“He was a very sociable and likeable person. A good friend.
“He was self-employed as a plasterer and builder and was a jack of all trades really. He always put work first, but he liked to have a drink and socialise.
“It is shattering. Absolutely shattering. I was not expecting this at all, never. I am distraught and devastated.”
Thompson had kind words, but he was hiding a terrible secret.
He knew Mr Carter was dead, had found his body, but continued to conceal it to steal from him.
Humberside Police suspect Thompson returned to the property on Beverley Road nine times between May 17 and May 20.
He stole Mr Carter’s possessions, including his beloved pet cockatiel.
Mr Carter’s death is not believed to be suspicious, but Thompson failed to raise the alarm, choosing to drag Mr Carter’s family through more heartache for his own greed.
He was jailed for five years for his crimes on Tuesday.
Welcoming the verdict, Humberside Police’s Detective Sergeant Kevin Goodman, who led the investigation, said: “From the very beginning of this investigation, it was not only disturbing, but tragic to unravel the circumstances surrounding the burglary.
“I am very pleased that justice has been served and Thompson will now be spending the next five years of his life behind bars.
“Adrian Carter had trusted his friend so much that he had given him a key to his property; trust that was completely taken advantage of in this horrific act.
“It is very difficult, to this day, for me to understand what would be going through someone’s mind to steal from someone that had passed away, especially someone that had called you a friend.
“Everybody has a right, and deserves to be found and laid to rest in a dignified and timely fashion, which Thompson also took away from Mr Carter and his family.”