Nottingham murderer who live-streamed two-hour attack on victim jailed

A 24-year-old who live-streamed an "horrific" two-hour attack on a man who later died has been jailed for life.

Declan O'Donnell, previously of Mansfield Road, Nottingham, carried out the prolonged attack on social media, turning to face his victim, Paul Cox, as viewers pleaded with him to end the attack.

One said: "Stop, you are killing him."

O'Donnell left four times and returned to continue to give his victim a beating.

The attack happened at his aunt, Lorraine Fallon's home. He subjected her partner, Mr Cox, to the "sadistic and brutal attack" on 10 February 2022.

Mr Cox suffered 45 separate injuries, including a crushed oesophagus, and blunt force injuries to his spine and head.

"The most difficult times of our lives"

The cause of death was severe trauma, with head, chest and spine and injuries consistent with being kicked and stamped to a severe level, according to pathologist Dr Frances Hollingbury, who gave evidence in the trial of O'Donnell, which started on May 2 at Nottingham Crown Court.

Speaking outside the court Mr Cox's brother, Peter Cox, shared of his '15 month' difficulty having to relieve the pain of brutally losing his brother again in the court room.

Footage of the torture which was live streamed was played clip by clip for the jury to view and make a decision.

Peter Cox said:"For our family the past 15 months have been the most difficult times of our lives and now that it’s over we can finally focus on grieving for our Paul.

"Our thoughts are with everybody whos been impacted by what Declan O'Donnell’ did that night."

Police learned of the horrific incident after a member of O'Donnell's family saw the shocking stream on social media and she called officers and alerted ambulance and police in two 999 calls.

"A truly horrifying attack"

The force also said O’Donnell, previously of Mansfield Road, Nottingham, blamed Mr Cox for the death of his own mum, who was a functioning alcoholic.

Detective Inspector Melanie Crutchley welcomed the sentence and hopes it will bring comfort to Mr Cox loved ones.

"This was a truly horrifying attack, almost defying belief in its brutality and utterly senseless nature. 

"Not only was Paul beaten unconscious over a prolonged period of time, O’Donnell was lucid enough to live stream the attack on his mobile phone showing no mercy throughout.

"Today’s sentence will not bring Paul back but it does mean that O'Donnell will spend a considerable part of his life behind bars and I hope this gives his family some comfort."

O'Donnell has been jailed for life for murder and will serve a minimum of 21 years.

The judge said Mr Cox was 36 years old when O'Connell "brutally" murdered him in his own home.