Teenager sentenced to ten years after pleading guilty to Chesterton murder

A teenager has been sentenced to ten-and-a-half years after pleading guilty to the murder of a man in Newcastle-under-Lyme.

The 17-year-old, from Newcastle, who cannot be named for legal reasons, pleaded guilty to the murder of Jack Sumner in a hearing at Stafford Crown Court (May 10) and was sentenced at the same court today (June 18).

The court heard that the teenager was initially arrested for GBH following the incident in Chesterton on 25 June 2020.

Officers attended an address in Victoria Street, Chesterton, following reports from local residents that a man struck another man with a weapon before running off, just after 7pm.

Mr Sumner, who was 22, had been struck to the head and suffered a fractured skull and lacerations.

A firearms unit was deployed to the area and the area was cordoned off while a search took place. The teenager was found hiding in a loft at a nearby property and arrested, initially for wounding.

Sadly, Mr Sumner passed away in hospital on 14 October. The teenager was then charged with murder.

Detective Sergeant Georgina Pope, of Staffordshire Police, said: “This was a violent attack and the injuries sustained by Jack Sumner tragically led to the loss of his life.
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“Our thoughts are with Mr Sumner’s family at this very difficult time. We thank the local community for their support in dealing with this incident and helping us to bring this case before the court.”