18th October: Unsolved Murder of Eamonn Bloodworth, UK, 2003
A modern view of the junction. Mr Bloodworth was found face down in a pool of blood in the early hours of Saturday, 18th October, 2003.
As in the case of the brutal murder of Shelley Morgan there is little on the internet about the murder of Eamonn Bloodhurst. This 46 year old man lived in Leicester and was killed in a senseless attack on 18th October 2003.
That evening the father of three had been out in bars in the city. He was found in the early hours face down in a pool of blood. There was a significant arrest in this case.
Neil Smith, then 28 years old, stood trial and was later acquitted. The substance of the prosecutions case was that Mr Smith had been arguing with a girlfriend. Angry and spoiling for trouble he came in contact with Mr Bloodworth. The court heard from witnesses that Mr Smith had confessed to them that he was guilty of the killing. The Crown evidence included allegations that Mr Smith had left voice mail messages and had text stating that he had attacked the victim.
All these points were denied by the accused who said he had been happy and content that night. He claimed he was in bed asleep when Mr Bloodworth was being beaten and stamped on. Mr Smith said he had no idea why people were saying he had sent messages and confessed. He believed it was a conspiracy put forward by his ex girlfriend and her friends.
There were no eyewitnesses and CCTV checks did not help the police in this enquiry. I just had a look at the Leicester Police website. A search on the victim’s name came up with no results. Although I am sure they would be interested in any information should you have any.
The killing took place on the corner of Ravensbridge Drive and Blackbrook Road in the city.
This case reminds me of the Sophie Toscan Du Plantier murder. In that the accused was said to have confessed on several occasions as well. That killing, of a French woman in Ireland in 1996, remains unsolved.
There are many sudden and apparently motiveless murders that have had no solution. In addition to the Irish case there is the murder of Samuel Guidera. That was a young man who was stabbed and left to die on the pavement. Like Mr Bloodworth, property was missing. It was the fact that property was missing that formed some of Mr Smith’s defence. They claimed that the victim had been the subject of a random robbery.
Take Care
Tim
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/leicestershire/3563142.stm
