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The Murder of a Friend - 19th Nov 2003

Murder Quiz as body found

Nov 20 2003Mike Underwood And Michelle Ruane, Evening Gazette

Detectives have arrested a man on suspicion of murder after finding a body inside a Teesside house.
Officers launched a murder probe after discovering the man's body in St Barnabas Road, Linthorpe, Middlesbrough, at around 6.30pm last night.
They were called to the property, occupied by middle-aged electrician and dad of two George Evans, after receiving reports of a dispute between two men.
Stunned neighbours described Mr Evans as a "lovely and very quiet" man who had lived alone in the street for nearly 20 years.
Detectives could not formally identify the victim until after a post mortem which was being carried out today.
A man in his 40s was arrested on suspicion of murder and is being held at Middlesbrough police station.
Inside the property police found a man who had suffered serious injuries. He was later pronounced dead by a police surgeon.
One neighbour told the Gazette: "We were out at the time it happened but when we got back and were told someone had been murdered here we couldn't believe it.
"Everyone here is stunned. Mr Evans is a perfect neighbour. He is such a lovely, quiet man."
Shocked residents huddled in groups on their doorsteps or shielded from the rain under umbrellas as police carried out their investigation last night.
The usually quiet street was cordoned off from its junction with Latham Road down to Roman Road.
Within the cordon, officers in uniform and others in white boiler suits could be seen outside a house on St Barnabas Road, near to the road's junction with Latham Road.
Forensic teams also erected a tent outside the front doorway of the house.
One shocked resident said: "The road was closed at about 7pm and we didn't know what was going on.
"All we could hear were the police sirens."
And another added: "It's frightening to think something like this can happen on your doorstep."
A Cleveland Police spokesman said: "We are anxious to speak to anyone who was in the St Barnabas Road area from around 6pm last night and who witnessed an altercation."
Contact Cleveland Police on 01642 303126 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.

Shock at stab death of dad

Nov 21 2003 Gareth Lightfoot, Evening Gazette

A senior police officer leading a murder inquiry after the death of a Teesside electrician was seeking powers today to detain a man for further questioning.
Middlesbrough crime manager Detective Superintendent Sue Cross was asking magistrates to extend the detention period so detectives can continue to question the man, who is in his 40s.
The move follows the confirmation by police of the identity of the dead man as 54-year-old George Evans.
A post mortem examination yesterday revealed Mr Evans, a father of two, died from a stab wound to the neck.
He was found at his home in St Barnabas Road, Linthorpe, on Wednesday evening.
Today a forensics tent was still around the house with a police van and operation support vehicle parked opposite.
Alan Stonehouse, the manager of Linthorpe Motors, had to close his shop yesterday because of the police cordon.
He said: "I knew Mr Evans by sight. He seemed to be a very quiet man from what I could gather.
"According to the neighbours, he was very popular and he lived here for about 20 years.
"I think people are very shocked. They couldn't believe it's happened around here."
A resident, who did not wish to be named, said: "I've seen a lot of police activity. I knew him to say hello to. He was very pleasant, inoffensive and neighbourly."
Butcher Brian Lambert knew him as a customer, and went golfing with him.
He said Mr Evans often went away to visit family in America.
He said: "He was very sociable. He liked his golf. He was a quiet fellow.
"He kept himself to himself. He always seemed very polite, looked after everybody. We are all shocked.
"The police have been down the drains, in the park, and knocking door-to-door asking if people know anything."
Another neighbour described him as a "perfect neighbour" and a "lovely, quiet man".
Officers called to the property after reports of a dispute between two men found Mr Evans with serious injuries inside. He was later pronounced dead by a police surgeon.
* Cleveland Police have appealed for anyone who was in St Barnabas Road from 5.30pm on Wednesday to contact them on 01642 303126.
* A man in his 40s was still being questioned by police today.

Man due in court on murder charge

Nov 22 2003 By Evening Gazette

A Middlesbrough man was due to appear before Teesside Magistrates this morning charged with the murder of local electrician George Evans.
Detectives charged the 42-year-old last night after keeping him in custody since Wednesday night when Mr Evans was found stabbed to death in his home in St Barnabas Road, Linthorpe.
Shocked neighbours said the 54-year-old father of two, a partner in local business Dawson and Evans, was "lovely and very quiet".
Detective Superintendent Sue Cross, heading the murder inquiry for Cleveland Police, said: "We have had a very positive response from members of the public and we would like to thank those people who have provided this information to us.
"If anyone has any further information about the incident I would ask them to contact us."
* Anyone with information can contact Cleveland Police on 01642 326326 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.

Man faces charge of murder on stabbing

Nov 23 2003 By Sunday Sun

A man has been charged with the murder of George Evans who was found stabbed to death at his home last week.
Mr Evans, 54, a father of two and an electrician, was found in his home in St Barnabas Road, Linthorpe, Middlesbrough, on Wednesday.
Christopher Hoyland, 42, appeared at Teesside Magistrates Court yesterday, where he was remanded in custody for a further seven days.
Detective Superintendant Andy Greenwood, of Cleveland Police's murder squad, said: "We are still appealing for information from anyone on this incident. Anyone with information should call us on 01642-326326."

Friends' sorrow for stab victim George

Nov 24 2003 Mike Morgan, Evening Gazette
The electrician stabbed to death at his Middlesbrough home last week was today described as an "extremely considerate" man with a "good sense of humour who wouldn't harm a fly".
George Evans, 54 (pictured), was found dead at his home on St Barnabas Road, Linthorpe last Wednesday evening.
Christopher Hoyland, 42, Mr Evans' next door neighbour, has been charged with his murder and was remanded in custody after appearing before magistrates on Saturday.
Today staff at the Arcadia Nursery, near Stokesley, where Mr Evans had been doing contract electrical work for many years, expressed their devastation at losing such a close friend.
Coffee shop manageress Dawn Bowden said: "George was just a quiet, unassuming bloke who was conscientious and just got on with his work. He knew everyone and was everybody's mate.
"Everybody is so upset that we don't even feel like coming to work.
"It's a terrible tragedy - he was so very easy-going."
Alison Arnold, a waitress in the coffee shop who was another close friend of Mr Evans, said: "This has been such a dreadful shock for everyone.
"All the staff here are absolutely devastated. George was such a happy, quiet and kind man.
"He had a good sense of humour and wouldn't harm a fly.
"He was extremely considerate to other people, and staff feel that they
have lost a member of their own family. We just can't believe it.
"We're absolutely shell-shocked."
Officers were called to St Barnabas Road after reports of a dispute between two men last Wednesday evening.
They found Mr Evans with serious injuries inside. He was later pronounced dead by a police surgeon.
A post mortem examination revealed the father-of-two had died from a stab wound to the neck.
According to shocked neighbours, Mr Evans - a partner in local business Dawson and Evans - was a quiet and polite man who had lived in the area for about 20 years.
One described him as a "perfect neighbour" and a "lovely, quiet man".
Detective Superintendent Sue Cross, heading the murder inquiry for Cleveland Police, said: "If anyone has any further information about the incident I would ask them to contact us."
Anyone with information can contact Cleveland Police on 01642 326326 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.

Man held on death charge Nov 27 2003

By Evening Gazette

A Middlesbrough man made a brief appearance before Teesside Crown Court today charged with murder.
Christopher Hoyland 42, of St Barnabas Road, Linthorpe, is charged with the murder of George Evans, 54, also of St Barnabas Road, who was found dead at his home on Wednesday last week.
Hoyland, who spoke only to confirm his identity, was remanded in custody until February 6.

'The family is in shock' Dec 4 2003

By Evening Gazette

The daughter of a man stabbed to death at his home spoke today for the first time about the family's grief.George Evans, 54, was found dead at his home in St Barnabas Road, Linthorpe, Middlesbrough, on November 19.An inquest was opened and adjourned by Teesside Coroner Michael Sheffield today.Speaking after the hearing Mr Evans' daughter, Kay Boyle, 28, told the Gazette: "The whole family's in shock."We just want to get him laid to rest. We've waited long enough."Evidence of identification was given by his sister Verna Yvonne Green, 57, a shop assistant from Wolsingham Drive, Thornaby.A post mortem found the father-of-two died from a stab wound to the neck.Neighbours and friends described Mr Evans, a self-employed electrician, as a quiet, friendly man who "wouldn't harm a fly".* Christopher Hoyland, 42, also of St Barnabas Road, appeared in Teesside Crown Court last Thursday charged with murder and was remanded in custody until February 6.

Man on trial for murder Mar 23 2004

By Evening Gazette

Middlesbrough man Christopher Hoyland was due to go on trial at Teesside Crown Court today charged with murder.
Hoyland, 42, of St Barnabas Road, has already pleaded not guilty to the murder of his neighbour, George Evans, 54, in November last year. The charge follows the discovery of the body of Mr Evans, a partner in a local electrical business, in his home.
The case was due to be tried by a jury in front of Judge Peter Fox QC in Court Two at the Teesside Combined Court Centre.

'Killed for making noise' Mar 23 2004

By Malcolm Pickering

A Teesside man deliberately stabbed his next-door-neighbour in a doorstep confrontation over noisy building work, a murder trial heard this afternoon.
And as electrician George Evans lay bleeding to death, his killer coolly set about creating a false alibi - walking his sister's dog - claimed prosecutor Tim Roberts QC.
Christopher Hoyland, 42, of St Barnabas Road, Middlesbrough, has pleaded not guilty to the murder of 54-year-old Mr Evans on November 19 last year.
The background to the killing, said Mr Roberts, was Hoyland's reaction to noise coming from Mr Evans' house in the course of building work - detailed in entries in a Ladbrokes diary kept by the accused man.

The case against Hoyland, said Mr Roberts, was that he armed himself with a knife, left his house and went next door with the intention of killing or causing really serious harm to his neighbour.
"When his neighbour opened the front door, the defendant stabbed him fatally in the neck. It was a purposeful and aimed thrust," Mr Roberts told the jury.
"The track of the wound was deep and severed two arteries and a vein. There was no struggle, there were no defensive injuries on the deceased and no marks on the defendant.
"The deceased retreated into his home, bleeding torrentially from his injury. The defendant offered him no assistance, neither did he have need to attack any further.
"The deceased managed to find refuge behind the door of his downstairs rear room, where he died within minutes."
Mr Roberts continued: "Hoyland, in control of the situation by reason of his surprise attack, returned to his own house.
"Thinking clearly he soon left his house to set about the creation of a false alibi. He went to his sister's house nearby to walk her dog. He stuck to that story throughout his police interview."
Hoyland, said Mr Roberts, had made earlier complaints about noise from the work going on in Mr Evans' home, once to a contractor and another time to Mr Evans' business partner to whom he said: "Loud bang bang all the time." The partner thought him to be drunk and told him to go away, said Mr Roberts.
Police recovered the diary from Hoyland's house after his arrest, giving them clues to the way the work had been affecting him.
Mr Roberts read entries for the days leading up to Mr Evans' death, which said: "George next door has been pushing me over the edge - the noise."
On another occasion: "More noise." And a final entry on the day of the killing: "Gosh, I get the blame."
Mr Roberts told the jury the prosecution would aim to produce evidence that would identify Hoyland as a man seen leaving the house at around the time of the killing, leaving the front door open.
Proceeding.

Murder trial told of death threats Mar 24 2004

Joanna Desira, Evening Gazette

A man stabbed to death in his own home had received death threats over a month earlier, a Teesside murder trial heard.
Christopher Hoyland, 42, of St Barnabas Road, Middlesbrough, has pleaded not guilty to the murder of next-door neighbour George Evans.
The prosecution claim that Hoyland stabbed Mr Evans in a doorstep confrontation over noisy building work.
Under cross examination by defence counsel Aidan Marron QC, Mr Evans' business partner Neil Dawson told the jury that Mr Evans had contacted the police because threats had been made against him.
The jury heard Mr Evans had started a relationship with an ex-girlfriend while she was seeing another man.
Mr Dawson agreed when Mr Marron put it to him Mr Evans had said he might be killed if the other man found out.
He also put it to Mr Dawson that in a telephone call he overheard Mr Evans make to the police, Mr Evans said there were threats to kill him. Mr Dawson answered "I believe so".
Mr Dawson said the call was made a month to a month and a half before his death.
Questioned by prosecution barrister Tim Roberts QC, Mr Dawson said police had told Mr Evans they would not get involved because the threats had not been made to him directly.
Earlier in his evidence Mr Dawson described how Mr Evans had begun building in his dining room in September.
He said he was helping on one occasion when Hoyland came to the door to complain about the noise saying: "It's always bang, bang, bang all the time."
Mr Dawson said Hoyland later came back and apologised.
A witness said she heard a "commotion" from outside Mr Evans' house the night he was found dead.
She said she had parked her car outside her flat on the corner of St Barnabas Road and left her 12-year-old daughter guarding it while she unpacked shopping.
She said she heard banging and a man's voice and saw a man with dark clothing and short hair outside Mr Evans' house.She went to the house with her daughter, her partner and his friend and knocked on the window after finding the door ajar.
After getting no answer they telephoned the police and watched as officers arrived and then called for an ambulance.
At the beginning of the trial Mr Roberts said the prosecution case was Hoyland armed himself with a knife and went round to Mr Evans's house with the intention of killing or doing serious harm to his neighbour.
He claimed he then created a false alibi by going to his sister's house nearby to walk her dog.
Mr Roberts also said Hoyland had detailed his reaction to the noise from Mr Evans' house in a diary.
Proceeding.

Stabbed to death on his doorstep Mar 24 2004

By Kevin Donald, The Journal

An electrician was stabbed to death when his neighbour snapped in a long-running feud over noisy building work, a court was told yesterday.
A murder jury trial was told that frustrated Christopher Hoyland plunged a knife into the neck of electrician George Evans on his doorstep because he could take no more of the constant banging from builders.
As Mr Evans lay bleeding to death, Hoyland set about creating a false alibi - by walking his sister's dog.
Hoyland, 42, of St Barnabas Road, Middlesbrough, denies the murder of 54-year-old Mr Evans on November 19 last year.
Tim Roberts QC, prosecuting, told a jury at Teesside Crown Court how Hoyland became frustrated by the noise coming from Mr Evans' house during the course of building work - detailed in entries Hoyland made in a Ladbrokes diary.
The case against Hoyland, said Mr Roberts, was that he armed himself with a knife, left his house and went next door with the intention of killing or causing really serious harm to his neighbour.
"When his neighbour opened the front door, the defendant stabbed him fatally in the neck. It was a purposeful and aimed thrust," Mr Roberts told the jury.
"The deceased retreated into his home, bleeding torrentially from his injury. The defendant offered him no assistance, neither did he have need to attack any further"
The deceased managed to find refuge behind the door of his downstairs rear room, where he died within minutes."
Mr Roberts continued: "Hoyland, in control of the situation by reason of his surprise attack, returned to his own house.
"Thinking clearly, he soon left his house to set about the creation of a false alibi. He went to his sister's house nearby to walk her dog. He stuck to that story throughout his police interview."
Hoyland, said Mr Roberts, had made earlier complaints about noise from the work going on in Mr Evans' home, once to a contractor and another time to Mr Evans' business partner to whom he said: "Loud bang bang all the time."
The partner thought him to be drunk and told him to go away.
Police recovered the diary from Hoyland's house after his arrest, giving them clues to the way the work had been affecting him.
Mr Roberts read entries for the days leading up to Mr Evans' death, which said: "George next door has been pushing me over the edge - the noise."
And a final entry on the day of the killing: "Gosh, I get the blame."
The trial continues.

Murder trial told of 'angry notes' Mar 25 2004

Malcolm Pickering, Evening Gazette

A man accused of killing one of his next-door neighbours sent angry notes to the other, a Teesside murder trial jury has been told.
Christopher Hoyland, 42, of St Barnabas Road, Middlesbrough, who denies murdering electrician George Evans, pushed notes complaining about noise through Roberta Donaghy's door, she told the court.
Giving evidence in Hoyland's trial at Teesside Crown Court, she showed the jury photocopies of the notes which said "For God's sake can't you shut doors with patience" and "If I hear you slam that door one more time I'll take it off its hinges".
Ms Donaghy told the court that she confronted Hoyland about the notes on his own doorstep, telling him that if he sent any more she would call the police and accuse him of harassment.
She said he replied by saying "banging, noise and neighbours".
She told the jury: "I have never been aware of slamming my front door. He said I should have some respect for my neighbours. I was very angry and wanted to get it off my chest."
Prosecutor Tim Roberts QC has alleged that Hoyland fatally stabbed his other next-door neighbour, Mr Evans, in another doorstep confrontation on November 19 last year.
Mr Roberts has told the jury it was the Crown's contention that the background to the killing involved Hoyland's reaction to noisy building work taking place in Mr Evans' home.
Hoyland denied any knowledge of the murder to police, he said, claiming that he was walking his sister's dog at the time.
Hoyland's nephew, Daniel Llewellyn, a joiner, said he lived only minutes' walk away with his mother and that Hoyland did, from time to time, take their dog for a walk.
He said his uncle had turned up at their house at 6.10pm on November 19. He said he was aware of the exact time because Hoyland had asked what time his mother would be coming home and he had looked at the clock.
Proceeding

Murder trial told of fatal wound Mar 26 2004

Malcolm Pickering, Evening Gazette

Fatal stabbing victim George Evans died from torrential blood loss and shock, resulting from a single knife wound to the throat, a Teesside murder trial jury heard today. Before the court is Mr Evans' next-door neighbour, Christopher Hoyland, 42, of St Barnabas Road, Middlesbrough. He denies the murder of the Middlesbrough electrician on November 19 last year. The prosecution has alleged Hoyland deliberately attacked Mr Evans in the hallway of his home, and intended to kill him or cause serious injury. Prosecutor Tim Roberts QC has alleged the background to the tragedy appeared to be Hoyland's aggressive reaction to noise caused by building work being carried out in Mr Evans' home. Hoyland, he said, had consistently denied anything to do with the stabbing, maintaining he was walking his sister's dog at the time. Pathologist Dr James Sunter told the jury today the wound to the throat was the only significant injury which he had found on the body. He said the only other injuries were "tiny abrasions" on the shoulder and knee which could have resulted from contact with a wall or the floor. He told the jury there were no visible defensive injuries such as cuts to the hands or fingers. The fatal neck injury, he said, had an entry wound just below the chin, which penetrated about four inches towards the back of the mouth. This, he said, had penetrated the airway and severed two major arteries and a tributary of the jugular vein. The doctor said Mr Evans would have collapsed within a minute or so and died very soon afterwards from "catastrophic" loss of blood. Shown a kitchen knife recovered from Hoyland's washing-up bowl, Dr Sunter said while he could not say it was the same knife which had been used to cause the injury, it was capable of producing the fatal wound. The trial, now in its fourth day, is expected to end next week with the jury retiring to consider its verdict on either Wednesday or Thursday. Proceeding

Murder accused gives evidence Mar 30 2004

Malcolm Pickering, Evening Gazette

A Middlesbrough man accused of killing his next door neighbour has given a murder trial jury his personal account of events on the fateful day.
Christopher Hoyland, 42, formerly of St Barnabus Road, was giving evidence in his own defence at Teesside Crown Court.
He has pleaded not guilty to the murder of electrician George Evans on November 19 last year.
The prosecution has alleged that, angry at noise from building work in Mr Evan's home, Hoyland had gone next door armed with a kitchen knife and deliberately stabbed his neighbour in the throat.
Hoyland told the jury that while the noise had "irritated him" it had not done so to the point where he would have become violent.
He said that on two earlier occasions he had gone next door to ask how long the noise would go on for and had spoken to men who were working there but had never issued any threats.
He said that at the time of the murder - about 6pm - he had been calling at his sister's home nearby, to take her terrier dog Lucky for a walk.
He said that this was a frequent occurrence and that one of the reasons he walked the dog so often was so he could get away from the noise.

Explaining how blood matching Mr Evans' had been found on a pair of jeans recovered from his house, he described a police officer who was making house-to-house inquiries picking up the trousers from his ironing board and asking if he had worn them that day.
Earlier in the case the officer who had called at Hoyland's home shortly after the stabbing had agreed that he would have had Mr Evans' blood on his clothing as he had tried to give first aid to the fatally injured man.
But the same officer told the jury he had not been anywhere near the ironing board and had not touched the jeans.
The trial is now entering its closing stages with the barristers in the case expected to make their closing speeches to the jury today, followed by the judge's summing up. The jury is expected to retire either late tomorrow or early on Thursday.
Proceeding

Murder jury due to retire Mar 31 2004

By Evening Gazette

The jury was expected to retire today to consider its verdict in the Christopher Hoyland murder case.
Hoyland, 42, formerly of St Barnabas Road, Middlesbrough, has pleaded not guilty at Teesside Crown Court to the murder of his next door neighbour George Evans, 48, on November 19 last year.
The prosecution has alleged that Hoyland stabbed Mr Evans to death in the hallway of the dead man's home in a row over noise from building work.
Hoyland has denied any involvement in the killing.
He has claimed he was walking his sister's dog at the time

Man 'killed in DIY feud'

Mr Evans’ last job was to drill eight holes into a wall and fix some timber in an alcove.
Hoyland had twice complained about the building work. He wrote in his diary: “George next door has been pushing me over the edge, the noise.”
Prosecutor Tim Roberts told Teesside Crown Court that Hoyland went home after the stabbing.
He added: “Thinking clearly, he soon left his house to set about the creation of a false alibi. He went to his sister’s house nearby to walk her dog.”
Hoyland, of Middlesbrough, denies murder.
The case continues.
http://www.thesun.co.uk/article/0,,2-2004132886,00.html

Killer struck over DIY noise rows

Mr Evans, 48, was found dead at his home from a single stab wound to his neck in November last year.
Hoyland was remanded in custody on Wednesday and is due to be sentenced on 30 April at Teesside Crown Court.
Brain damage
Tim Roberts QC, prosecuting, told the court 48-year-old Mr Evans' last job had been to drill holes in a wall and fix some timber in an alcove
Before that another friend had knocked down some internal walls and Hoyland had complained twice.
On the night of the killing, neighbours heard raised voices and saw Hoyland walking out of Mr Evans' home.
Hoyland, who denied murder, was picked out at an identification parade although he claimed he was walking his sister's dog.
The judge, the Recorder of Middlesbrough, Peter Fox QC, said he wanted a medical report on brain damage suffered by Hoyland in an attack just before his 40th birthday before sentencing.
'Covered tracks
Following the verdict, Detective Superintendent Sue Cross, of Cleveland Police, said: "This was a deliberate act by Mr Hoyland.

"No matter how aggrieved he felt about the noise emanating from the adjoining house as his neighbour George Evans carried out a series of DIY jobs, it does not justify the taking of a life.
"Mr Hoyland compounded matters by deliberately trying to cover his tracks and denying all responsibility for the murder.
"The jury has seen through his lies and I am satisfied that on this occasion justice has been delivered.
"No sentence could ever compensate Mr Evans' family for the loss of a much loved father and friend. I can only hope that this verdict gives them the opportunity to move on with their lives."
BBC News (http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/tees/3587861.stm)

Man murdered 'noisy' neighbour

Apr 1 2004 - By The Journal

A man who snapped and stabbed his neighbour to death because of his noisy DIY has been found guilty of murder.
Frustrated Christopher Hoyland could take no more of the constant banging and drilling coming from electrician George Evans' terraced home.
And, after a long-running feud, Hoyland armed himself with a knife and attacked his defenceless victim.
A jury at Teesside Crown Court was told how Hoyland plunged a knife into the neck of Mr Evans on his doorstep because he was fed up with the constant banging from builders.
Hoyland, 42, of St Barnabas Road, Middlesbrough, had denied the murder of 54-year-old Mr Evans on November 19 last year.
But, following a six-day trial, he was found guilty of murder yesterday.
Judge Peter Fox QC, the Recorder of Middlesbrough, adjourned sentence for four weeks.
Tim Roberts QC, prosecuting, had told the court how Hoyland had become frustrated by the noise coming from Mr Evans' house during the course of building work - detailed in entries Hoyland made in a Ladbrokes diary.
The case against Hoyland, said Mr Roberts, was that he armed himself with a knife, left his house and went next door with the intention of killing or causing really serious harm to his neighbour.

Killer to hear judge's decision Apr 30 2004

Malcolm Pickering, Evening Gazette


Killer Christopher Hoyland was to learn today the minimum length of time he will spend behind bars.

Unemployed Hoyland, 42, formerly of St Barnabas Road, Middlesbrough, was convicted of murder earlier this month after stabbing his next door neighbour, George Evans, to death in a doorstep confrontation over DIY noise.

He was due to appear before Teesside Crown Court today for sentence.

Hoyland faces a mandatory life sentence but, under new rules introduced last year, the trial judge must publicly set the minimum term he will serve before being eligible for parole.

The Recorder of Middlesbrough, Judge Peter Fox QC, had called for a medical report after hearing Hoyland had himself suffered a brain injury in a street brawl incident two years earlier - and that this may have affected his behaviour.

The trial heard how electrician Mr Evans was found in his home with a single fatal stab wound to the throat. The tragic discovery was made by police shortly after another man was seen banging on his door, entering and leaving the house.

Throughout the trial Hoyland maintained that he knew nothing of the killing until the police knocked on his door later the same night.

It was the second time that Hoyland had been the central character in a Crown Court trial.

In the first case another man was cleared of causing Hoyland grievous bodily harm. The jury accepted the accused man's claim that he karate kicked him to the head in self-defence after Hoyland had made an unprovoked attack on him.

Hoyland was left with serious head injuries and never worked again, his marriage broke up and he was put in peril of losing his home through mortgage arrears.

DIY murderer jailed for life Apr 30 2004

A man who murdered his neighbour because he was disturbed by the noise of his DIY has been jailed for life.
Christopher Hoyland, 42, was told he would serve at least 10 years for fatally stabbing George Evans once in the throat during a doorstep row.
The defendant had denied murder at Teesside Crown Court but was convicted earlier this month.
The court heard Mr Evans had been drilling in a partition wall, which provoked his neighbour to make his attack last November.
Unemployed Hoyland, of St Barnabas Road, Middlesbrough, had suffered brain damage during a fight in a town centre pub three years ago, and became impulsive and aggressive, the court was told.
The Recorder of Middlesbrough, Peter Fox, told Hoyland: "You are a 42-year-old man who was found guilty of murdering your next door neighbour.
"You took a kitchen knife and you went to his house and when he answered the door, you struck him a severe blow.
"In that, you severed some major blood vessels.
"He must have died very quickly."
After Hoyland was convicted, Detective Sergeant Andy Greenwood said: "This was a deliberate act by Mr Hoyland no matter how aggrieved he felt about the noise emanating from the adjoining house as his neighbour George Evans carried out a series of DIY jobs. It doesn't justify the taking of a life."

Killer's jail term blasted May 1 2004

Malcolm Pickering


A Teesside murder victim's daughter has described his "ten year minimum" life sentence as "a waste of time".

Kay Boyle, daughter of stabbed electrician George Evans, said: "Ten years is disappointing. I thought he would get longer.

"He has shown no remorse for what he has done. He has taken my dad away. He is a danger to himself and everyone else and I feel sorry for anyone who ends up living next door to him.

"He just should not be let out."

Her father's killer, Christopher Hoyland, was today starting his life sentence imposed yesterday at Teesside Crown Court.

As reported in later editions of last night's Gazette, the Recorder of Middlesbrough, Judge Peter Fox QC ruled that Hoyland, convicted of the murder of his next door neighbour, electrician George Evans, should serve a minimum of ten years before he can apply for parole.

But the judge warned Hoyland, formerly of St Barnabas Road, Middlesbrough, that his medical condition and behaviour would be monitored while in prison with a view to assessing the risk he posed in the future.

Stressing that the ten-year tariff was "the minimum term", the judge said it was possible he would be behind bars "much longer".

Hoyland appeared yesterday for sentence, Judge Fox having adjourned the case last month following the jury's guilty verdict to allow the preparation of further medical reports.

His trial in March was told that he had killed Mr Evans with a stab wound to the throat in a doorstep confrontation over noise from DIY work going on in Mr Evans' home.

Hoyland had denied any involvement, claiming he was walking his sister's dog at the time.

Judge Fox said he was satisfied on the evidence of both a psychiatrist and a neurologist that brain damage suffered by Hoyland in an incident in 2001 had "radically changed his character and personality" and that this had affected his behaviour.

The judge said he also accepted that Hoyland was especially susceptible to the noise from DIY building work in Mr Evans' home.

The man accused of attacking Hoyland was subsequently cleared by a Teesside Crown Court jury, which accepted his claim that he had acted in self defence when Hoyland made an unprovoked attack upon him in the street.

But defence barrister Aidan Marron QC presented a different picture to the court, claiming that Hoyland had suffered serious injury "through no fault of his own". Unable to work since, said Mr Marron, he had lost his job, wife, family and home.

Family Notices

EVANS George Facing life without you is very hard to bear, For losing you the way we did, Will always seem unfair. You left behind some broken hearts, But happy memories too. Good night, God Bless. Sister Verna, brother-in-law Jerry, uncle of Debra, David, Michael, Claire and Joanne.
First appeared on 05 Dec 2003

Deaths

EVANS George Ours is just a simple prayer, God bless and keep you in his care.Paul and Ann.
First appeared on 08 Dec 2003

EVANS George Put your arms around him Lord, Kiss his smiling face, He was a special friend, Who can never be replaced. Dean, Sue and Family.
First appeared on 08 Dec 2003

EVANS George sIt isn't what we write, It isn't what we say, It's how we feel deep inside, As we think of you today.From, Terry, Barbara, Samantha and Daniel.
First appeared on 08 Dec 2003

EVANS George For seventeen years you were always there, It doesn't seem right now you're not there, The days are hard, the laughter all gone, The work will continue, your name will go on. Love Neil, Anthea, Emily and Rebecca.
First appeared on 08 Dec 2003

EVANS George Thank you for your friendship and the memories. Always in my thoughts and deeply missed. Lynne and the dogs.
First appeared on 06 Dec 2003

EVANS George Thank you for being a special friend and neighbour. Deepest sympathy to the family. You will be sadly missed. From Barbara, Allan and Cath. R.I.P.
First appeared on 06 Dec 2003

EVANS George A special friend, a special face, Someone we love and can't replace, Never selfish, always kind, These are the memories he left behind. Love, Robbie, Jane and Family.
First appeared on 05 Dec 2003

EVANS George I'll miss your Christmas visit and card George. God bless. Jean Lynas.
First appeared on 05 Dec 2003

EVANS George (Grandad) Love and miss you, Chloe xxx
First appeared on 05 Dec 2003

EVANS George Linda.
First appeared on 05 Dec 2003

EVANS George (Dad) Love and miss you, Jo, Andrew, Kay and Lennie.
First appeared on 05 Dec 2003

EVANS George Dear brother and uncle. Words are few, Thoughts are deep, But memories of you George, We will always keep. Reunited with loved ones. Betty, Jackie, Phil, Charlotte and Abigail.
First appeared on 05 Dec 2003

EVANS George Tragically on November 19, George, aged 54 years, much loved dad of Jo, Andrew and Kay, dear father-in-law of Lennie, also a loving grandad of Chloe. Funeral service and cremation to take place on Tuesday, December 9, at 11.30a.m., in St. Bede's Chapel, Teesside Crematorium. Friends please meet at St. Bede's Chapel and afterwards at the Acklam Garden City Club. Resting at and floral tributes to; Relph Funeral Home, 43 Kings Road, North Ormesby.
First appeared on 05 Dec 2003