Anthony Gardiner receives life sentence for murdering John Coxon in Gloucestershire

Anthony Gardiner, a 66-year-old man, has been sentenced to life in prison with a minimum term of 20 years for the murder of 76-year-old John Coxon, a convicted paedophile. The attack took place in January 2022 at Coxon's home in Stonehouse, where he sustained severe injuries that led to his death two months later. Gardiner, who has a history of violence and criminality, exploited Coxon for financial gain prior to the murder, demanding money for finding a misplaced wallet. During the court proceedings, it was revealed that Gardiner initially denied the assault but later confessed in a letter to police. Judge Picton described Gardiner as a highly dangerous individual who showed no remorse for his actions. The case highlighted the frail condition of the victim, who was suffering from Alzheimer's and other health issues at the time of the attack.