John McDonnell, 44, Daniel Carroll, 29, and Jonathan Bristow, 46, all attacked Matthew Griggs twice in the space of an hour.

Matthew Griggs (Image: Norfolk Constabulary)

The group - which also included the now deceased Andrew Gough - were angry with Mr Griggs.

They believed he had inadvertently brought attention on them after they stole alcohol from the BP service station on Plumstead Road, Norwich.

BP service station, Plumstead Road, Norwich (Image: Newsquest)

The 38-year-old suffered fractured ribs in the attacks on September 19 2023 and died as a result of his injuries four days later.

Church Lane, Sprowston (Image: Peter Walsh, Newsquest)

Mr Griggs was pronounced dead in an area of woodland off Church Lane, Sprowston, on September 23 2023.

McDonnell, of Recorder Road, Carroll, of no fixed address, and Bristow, latterly of Trafalgar Street, have all been on trial at Norwich Crown Court after they denied manslaughter.

Norwich Crown Court (Image: Peter Walsh, Newsquest)

But jurors took just over four hours and 10 minutes to find all three defendants guilty on Monday afternoon (April 13).

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Judge Anthony Bate adjourned sentence for a date to be fixed.

Judge Anthony Bate (Image: Newsquest)

Speaking after the verdicts, senior investigating officer, Detective Inspector Alix Wright said: “Throughout this process, officers have worked diligently to piece together the circumstances of this case.

Senior Investigating officer Alix Wright (Image: Peter Walsh, Newsquest)

“This has been a long and complex investigation, and today’s conviction marks a significant moment for everyone involved - most importantly, for the victim’s family.

"We hope this outcome brings them some measure of comfort as they continue to cope with their loss.”

Daniel Carroll (Image: Norfolk Constabulary)

The trial which started last month, heard Mr Griggs was attacked by the group twice - first at Ketts Hill and then on Prince of Wales Road - as they returned to a property in Ketts Hill after stealing alcohol from a nearby garage.

Ketts Hill (Image: Peter Walsh, Newsquest)

They had been angered to find Mr Griggs outside the address, waiting for his girlfriend Sharleen Dowd, as they thought his presence would make the property a target for police, who had been alerted about their shoplifting.

John McDonnell (Image: Norfolk Constabulary)

Miss Dowd, who was with Mr Griggs when he had been attacked and who found him unresponsive in their tent four days after, told the court he had been in the "worst pain ever".

Jonathan Bristow (Image: Norfolk Constabulary)

he couple had walked back to their tent, in woodland near Church Lane, Sprowston, from the city centre - a distance of less than three miles.

Church Lane, Sprowston (Image: Peter Walsh, Newsquest)

Miss Dowd, 38, said he had to stop every two minutes because of the pain, meaning it took them around two hours.

"He wanted to cry because he was in that much pain," she said.

"He kept stopping as he couldn't breathe."

When they got back he was "dozing off" and "complaining he was in pain".

Tearfully Miss Dowd said she could hear Mr Griggs "begging me to get up" but she could not as she had taken medication.

"When I was sleeping he obviously fell asleep - or I thought he was asleep, but he had gone," she added.

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