Man Sentenced To Life For Middlesbrough Murder

14 March 2013, 12:42 | Updated: 30 March 2016, 13:50

24 year old Robert Baker's been sentenced to life in prison after being found guilty of murdering his neighbour in Middlesbrough.

The decomposing body of 61 year old John Coates was found in the bath at his flat at Fleet House in Middlesbrough, last September.

Baker's been told he'll serve a minimum of 17 years in prison after he was sentenced at Teesside Crown Court today (Thursday 14th March).

Judge Simon Bourne-Arton QC, said Baker was a "cold and calculating" individual.

Det Supt Peter McPhillips, who led the investigation, said:
"Throughout the investigation and during his interviews, Baker has shown no remorse or compassion for his victim and he has made no attempt to account for his actions.

He is an extremely dangerous and violent individual who will now face a substantial time in jail so that the communities of Cleveland can be protected." In a statement, Mr Coates's family said:

John was a kind and gentle man who would give help to anyone without thought of any gain. It was this kindness that ultimately led to his death.

The loss of John through such a barbaric and vicious crime has hit the family hard, we now would like to draw a line under this and be allowed to come to terms with it in our own way."