After being found guilty of killing a man and stealing his bank cards, three men have been imprisoned for a total of fifty-nine years.
On September 3, Mark Hoverd was taken to the hospital with multiple injuries, including a serious head injury, at which point police were called. He tragically passed away later that day.
Officers swiftly identified three possible suspects following the 57-year-old’s death investigation: Francis Olner, 36, Aleksandrs Gudkovs, 43, and Stuart Grant, 42.
Following a thorough investigation that involved going through thousands of hours of CCTV, Warwickshire Police said: “The team was able to show trio had gone to James Diskin Court in the early hours of the morning.”
“In his own house, Mark was brutally attacked and left for dead. Shortly after stealing his bank cards, the men used them to make cash withdrawals from cash machines in the area.
“The three men gave contradictory accounts when they were taken into custody, accusing one another and saying they hadn’t been inside Mark’s flat.
“However comprehensive investigations continued, and the trio were subsequently charged with a number of offences.”
Olner was found guilty of murder on Tuesday, March 26, after a three-week trial at Coventry Crown Court. While all three were found guilty of conspiring to commit robbery and had previously admitted five counts of fraud charges, Gudkovs and Grant were found guilty of manslaughter but not of murder.
The three were sentenced yesterday, Wednesday.
Olner, of Manor Court Road, Nuneaton, was found guilty of murder and sentenced to life in prison with a minimum of 28 years served.
He received sentences of 11 years for conspiring to commit robbery and 32 months for fraud, which will run alongside his murder sentence.
Gudkovs, who was formerly of Nuneaton’s Coton Road, served a 15-and-a-half-year sentence for manslaughter.
Along with the manslaughter sentence, he will also serve two years and three months for the fraud charges and eleven years for the conspiracy to rob.
The same sentence as Gudkovs was given to Grant, who has no fixed address: fifteen and a half years for manslaughter, eleven years for conspiring to commit robbery, and two years and three months for fraud charges. The fraud sentences are to be served concurrently with the manslaughter sentence.
Detective Chief Inspector Collette O’Keefe, Senior Investigating Officer, stated after the sentencing: “This was an incredibly violent and senseless attack on a defenceless man.”
It’s still unclear why they decided to attack Mark at home, brutally beating him and leaving him for dead.
The fact that he then had the audacity to take his bank cards and take out cash makes an already horrible crime even more abhorrent.
“The attack was not only planned, but it also ended with them killing a defenceless man, which is completely upsetting for Mark’s family.
“Mark didn’t deserve this, and since it happened, none of the defendants have expressed regret or accepted responsibility.
“I’m happy with the verdict that was reached today and that the jury was able to expose Olner, Gudkovs, and Grant’s lies.
“Mark’s partner and family will suffer greatly from this extreme act of violence in the long run, and our thoughts are with them during this difficult time.”
“As they continue to process their terrible loss, I hope this decision gives them some peace.
“I want to express my gratitude to the investigation team for their professionalism, hard work, and dedication throughout this extremely challenging case.
“We have worked as a fantastic team, spanning several departments and specialties, for days, diligently gathering evidence to support our case.
“Lastly, I would also like to thank the witnesses who bravely shared their stories; they were all instrumental in ensuring that three dangerous offenders were put behind bars.”
Following the sentencing, Mark Hoverd’s partner and family released the following statements.
“Mark’s life was taken from him while he was alone at home in the early hours of Sunday, September 3, 2023, in a violent and brutal attack by total strangers,” his family said.
“Mark fought for several hours to save his life before being found, and later that day, he tragically lost the battle—all for financial gain.
“Mark was a kind and gentle soul who would never hurt anyone. He was a loving son, brother, father, uncle, and friend.
“We would like to express our gratitude to the Warwickshire Police investigation team for their tireless efforts in compiling the evidence necessary to identify the individuals responsible, and for the invaluable assistance we received from the Victim Support homicide service.
“Though nothing will ever bring Mark back, it gives us all some comfort to know that justice will be served.”
Debbie Williams, Mark’s partner of nearly eight years, continued, saying, “Nothing will bring Mark back and I will always love him.”
I miss him every day. He was a gentle and kind man who shone brightly.
“I will love you forever, until we cross paths again in heaven. Godspeed and rest soundly.
Leave a Reply