03 April 2012

Boy Who Murdered Mum Inspired By Soap Opera

A court has been told that a teenager who beat his mother to death with a hammer before setting fire to their home was inspired by a plot in Coronation Street.

Daniel Bartlam, then aged 14, struck his mother Jacqueline Bartlam,47, with a claw hammer seven times after watching the soap's character John Stape kill his victim in a similar manner.

Bartlam then poured petrol around the bedroom where she had been sleeping before setting it and her body alight.

Originally when questioned by police Bartlam claimed that a burglar had committed the murder on April 25 last year. But in in February last the teen was charged with his mother's murder.

His defense had claimed it was manslaughter because Bartlam had simply lost self-control, but a jury unanimously found him guilty of murder.

Detective Chief Inspector Kate Meynall who investigated the murder said: "The level of violence, degree of planning and extent of his lies is not only shocking, but also chilling that a boy of 14 could do this."

It is understood that Bartlam, now 15, has been detained for life and will serve a minimum of 16 years in prison for the murder.

(LB/GK)