Father and son jailed for 42 years for Downham Market murder

Wayne Peckham, 48, and his son Riley Peckham, 23, were both found guilty of the murder of Matthew Rodwell, 39, after they found him at the Downham Market home of Wayne's wife and Riley's mother Kerry.

Matthew Rodwell was murdered the Downham Market home of Kerry Peckham (Image: Norfolk Constabulary)

Father-of-two Mr Rodwell, from Fincham, west Norfolk, had made a terrified 999 call while hiding in a wardrobe.

Wayne began "kicking, stamping and punching" Mr Rodwell who suffered more than 40 significant injuries as a result of the attack in January 2021.

He was pronounced dead at the house at Bulrush Avenue. A post-mortem examination revealed he died as a result of strangulation.

Wayne Packham was jailed for a minimum of 24 years at Norwich Crown Court on Tuesday.

Judge Anthony Bate told him it had been a “brutal and sustained” attack that had not been spontaneous.

Police at the scene of the murder at Bulrush Avenue in Downham Market (Image: Newsquest)

He said Mr Rodwell had endured “12 minutes of mental suffering” whilst he hid after making calls for help.

“He begged for mercy but was shown none,” he added.

Sentencing Riley Peckham to a minimum of 18 years in prison, Judge Bate said while searching the house for Mr Rodwell he had demeaningly goaded him by saying “here doggy” and had twice told him he was going to die.

He said both men had made no effort to give aid to their victim, showing only “concern for themselves” as they sought to flee the murder scene. 

Both men showed little emotion as the sentences were imposed but there were gasps and tears among family members in a packed public gallery. 

Police forensic investigators at Bulrush Avenue in Downham Market (Image: Newsquest)

In personal statements read out in court, Mr Rodwell’s sister Amy said had been “tormented and bullied” just because he “fell in love with a woman who just happened to be your ex-wife and mother”.

She added: “You have stolen a daddy from two amazing children who now have to live with the loss of their father. Whatever sentence you get, they are the ones with the real life sentence.”

In her statement, Kerry Peckham said she had been left “broken hearted” and “traumatised” and said Wayne was “selfish, violent and controlling”.

She accused him of manipulating Riley who she said had expressed to her his “genuine remorse and sadness”. 

Patrick Upward, mitigating, said Wayne would not be seeking to appeal and wished to express “profound condolences”.

“He regrets and is ashamed of what happened,” he added.

Police forensic investigators at Bulrush Avenue in Downham Market (Image: Newsquest)

Judge Bate said Wayne was “obsessively jealous and hostile towards men seen to be forming a relationship with his former wife”.

He said both were “bullies with a sense of entitlement”

Both were also sentenced over an earlier assault against another man which happened in December 2021 in Downham Market.

Wayne, who was also convicted of assault occasioning actual bodily harm against his ex-partner, was sentenced to three years and three months combined for the three assaults to be served concurrently with his life sentence.

Riley received 12 months for the assault.

Senior investigating officer detective chief inspector Chris Burgess said both acted in “jealous rage, like a pack of animals, and the sentences passed today mean they can longer be a danger to anyone else”.

Detective chief inspector Chris Burgess (Image: Newsquest)

“It’s clear from watching the CCTV clips that both knew exactly what they are doing and why,” he said. 

“They clearly intended to cause Matthew harm with the level of violence used. We also know Matthew had been threatened by them several times during his relationship.

“The jury’s verdict was unanimous and the right outcome, especially for Matthew’s family who have shown exceptional bravery and patience during this process. 

“Some of the evidence, particularly the 999 call, was difficult for many people to hear, but especially for Matthew’s loved ones.”