Killer of grandad Simon Bowman who was brutally murdered in his Jarrow home set to learn his fate at sentencing hearing

A man who carried out a brutal attack on a grandad, leaving his fingers and toes “scattered” across the floor of the home they shared, will today be sentenced for murder.
By Fiona Thompson
Published 30th Jan 2020, 23:30 BST
Updated 31st Jan 2020, 08:05 BST
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Simon Bowman was found dead at the flat where he was staying with his best friend Christopher Graham in High Street, Jarrow, in May last year.

The 54-year-old, originally from Washington, suffered a catalogue of 100 sites of injury – including 30 to his head and neck – after 30-year-old Graham attacked him.

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Expert witnesses were able to tell a jury at Newcastle Crown Court that Mr Bowman’s fingers and toes may have been removed with bolt cutters both before and after his death, while he also had deep wounds and his throat had been cut.

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Police and forensic officers outside the flat where Simon Bowman was murdered by Christopher Graham in High Street, Jarrow, last May.Police and forensic officers outside the flat where Simon Bowman was murdered by Christopher Graham in High Street, Jarrow, last May.
Police and forensic officers outside the flat where Simon Bowman was murdered by Christopher Graham in High Street, Jarrow, last May.

Graham, who is also from Washington, had admitted the killing – but claimed he acted in self-defence.

The killer claimed he picked up a "heavy object" to protect himself when he thought Mr Bowman was about to rape or kill him, but said he remembered nothing about the killing itself.

The jury returned their guilty verdict in less than an hour last month. Graham was remanded in custody ahead of his sentencing hearing, which will take place at the same court today, Friday, January 31.

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Judge Paul Sloan QC warned him the only sentence that can be imposed was one of life imprisonment, adding as a matter of law, he would be required to specify the minimum term he must serve before he can be considered for release.