Killers jailed for life over murder of vulnerable man Jimmy Prout

Zahid Zaman and Ann Corbett have been jailed for life for the murder of Jimmy Prout Credit: Northumbria Police

Two killers have been jailed for life for the murder of a vulnerable man who was subjected to abuse from the "Dark Ages" abuse.

Jimmy Prout, 45, thought the group were his friends but they turned on him and eventually dumped his lifeless body on wasteland just 100m from his home.

Murder victim Jimmy Prout's body was dumped on wasteland Credit: Northumbria Police

Ringleader Zahid Zaman, 43, and Ann Corbett, 26, were convicted of his murder following a seven week trial.

Both had previously admitted perverting the course of justice.

Zaman was jailed for life and told he must serve a minimum 33 years at Newcastle Crown Court on Tuesday. Jailing him judge Mr Justice Dove called him an "evil, vindictive man."Corbett was also jailed for life and told to serve a minimum 27 years.

Myra Wood, 50, and Kay Rayworth, 56, were cleared of murder but were convicted of causing or allowing the death of a vulnerable adult. Credit: Northumbria Police

Myra Wood, 50, and Kay Rayworth, 56, were cleared of murder but were convicted of causing or allowing the death of a vulnerable adult.They had previously admitted perverting the course of justice.

Rayworth was jailed for 12 years and four months. Wood was jailed for nine years.

The jury at Newcastle Crown Court had heard a series of events in late 2015 created tensions in the group that led to a number of serious assaults against Mr Prout, including him having his teeth knocked out with a hammer and chisel.

Many of the details of his treatment are too gruesome to be reported, but the prosecution described it as “a prolonged period of sadistic torture and humiliation."

At the trial, they said the abuse “belongs in the Dark Ages”.

Prosecution counsel Paul Greaney QC said Zaman “orchestrated" the abuse, “the others followed his lead. He was controlling and manipulative” of other members of the group, and was determined to hurt Mr Prout after he thought he had stolen from him.

  • Watch Kris Jepson's report on Jimmy Prout murder

In victim impact statements, Edward Prout said he was “overwhelmed by anger and disbelief” at how his brother had been "treated worse than an animal.”

His sister Adrienne said: “I cannot comprehend the suffering inflicted on my brother. I can’t believe that so-called humans conflict such barbaric torture on another human. Why did not one of them help him?"

The jury at the trial was shown CCTV images of Mr Prout’s worsening condition during around four months of assaults. He also posted photographs of his injuries on Facebook.

After dumping his body on wasteland near to the Tyne Tunnel last February, the group took money from Jimmy Prout’s bank account, and pretended to search for him.

His body was found more than six weeks later.