Son sentenced to 12 years for father’s murder

Gary Moore, 65, of Mill Lane, Hambrook, near Bristol, has been handed a 12-year prison sentence for the murder of his 93-year-old father, Robert Moore. The conviction follows Moore’s guilty plea on 1 November to killing his elderly father by smothering him with a pillow at their shared residence. Robert Moore, known as Bob, was discovered deceased in his bed by emergency personnel. Judge Julian Lambert imposed the sentence on Gary Moore at Bristol Crown Court on Friday afternoon. Judge Lambert stated that Moore “had no reason to murder his father,” noting that the victim had led a “full and active life for a man of his age.” The court was informed that Moore had experienced depression, anxiety, and insomnia prior to the murder of his father, and had been engaging with mental health professionals since January 2022. Prosecuting barrister Robin Shellard recounted to the court that Moore himself had notified emergency services of the event, informing a call handler and the initial paramedics who arrived shortly before 10:00 BST, “I killed my Dad.” While positioned outside the residence, Moore informed another paramedic that he had not slept “for a couple of weeks,” had ceased his anti-depressant medication, and stated that he “didn’t mean to do it.” Mr. Shellard informed the court that Moore perceived his father as displaying symptoms of dementia, identifying them as similar to the distressing signs observed in his mother, who passed away in late 2021. A neighbor, who had known Mr. Moore for five decades, testified that it was “not uncommon” to observe the 93-year-old “tinkering in the garage” and gardening, and despite occasionally appearing “dishevelled,” he was typically an “independent man.” A statement from Mr. Moore’s daughter, Gail Baines, was read in court, where she characterized her father as “hardworking and selfless.” She further expressed, “I can’t quantify the loss of my father or the pain caused.” Baines added, “People loved being around my father, his little eccentricities and generosity brought so much joy to family and friends.” She continued, “He was renowned for hosting events in the home that he built with my mother.” Baines concluded, “I can’t comprehend how such a heinous act could have been committed by his own son, in his own home, and that this was also my father’s last memory.” Kevin Moore, her brother, referred to his father as his “best friend,” detailing his practice of cycling to visit him “almost daily” and reminiscing about past fishing excursions they shared. He stated, “I will miss you forever.” Virginia Cornwall, the mitigating barrister, informed the court that Moore, who had also recently experienced the loss of his partner and the mother of their two daughters, felt “despairing” regarding his actions. She stated that at the time of the killing, he had been “overwhelmed and consumed” by concerns for his own future. Cornwall also noted that Moore had no prior convictions and possessed “previous good character.” In delivering the sentence, Mr. Lambert informed Moore that his immediate admission of guilt had been considered. He further stated that despite Moore’s history of mental health issues, there was “nothing to indicate” he would kill his father or harm others. The judge mentioned that Moore’s daughters had characterized him as a “kind, warm-hearted person,” and he found “any outright hostility” from Moore towards his father to be absent, apart from possibly the “frustration” associated with cohabiting with an elderly individual. Mr. Lambert concluded, “Your father was well respected by all and cherished by other family members who are deeply affected by his death.” Detective Inspector Deb Hatch, from Avon and Somerset Police’s Major Crime Investigation Team, commented: “Our thoughts remain with Bob’s family who have been through a huge amount of the past five months trying to come to the terms of what has happened.” She added, “It is clear how much Bob meant to them and they have shown remarkable courage throughout our investigation and the subsequent court process.” Moore’s 12-year sentence does not include the 112 days he spent on remand; he will be eligible for parole consideration after serving this term and will remain under license for the remainder of his life.