Man Receives Life Sentence for Murder Following Fatal Attack and Attempt to Burn Clothes

Martin Montgomery, 32, has been handed a life sentence for the murder of Nigel Mazs, 59. Montgomery was apprehended while attempting to burn his clothing after the fatal assault, which involved kicking Mr. Mazs in the face. The attack, stemming from a dispute over drug-taking, occurred outside Montgomery’s residence in Great Yarmouth, Norfolk, causing Mr. Mazs to strike his head on concrete. Judge Alice Robinson stated that Montgomery displayed “no genuine remorse” for the assault and mandated that he serve a minimum term of 12 years in prison. Although he had previously admitted manslaughter, Montgomery was found guilty of murder following a nine-day trial at Norwich Crown Court. The assault transpired on 22 December last year within a communal stairwell of a block of flats located at Malakoff Close, Great Yarmouth. Montgomery kicked Mr. Mazs as he was bending over, and the resulting fall led to a brain haemorrhage. Mr. Mazs was transported to the James Paget University Hospital in Gorleston, later transferred to Addenbrooke’s Hospital in Cambridge, and placed into an induced coma. He did not regain consciousness and passed away on 4 January. When law enforcement officers arrived, Montgomery was engaged in burning the clothing he had worn during the attack on a barbecue. Upon his arrest, he was heard telling officers “fair enough”. William Carter, the prosecuting barrister, presented a statement on behalf of Mr. Mazs’ family, asserting that the deceased, a father, grandfather, and brother, was “not aggressive in his nature”. The statement continued: “Substances was his way of escapism from the abuse he received from our parents.” It added: “We are drowning in the pain of the violence of his death.” Judge Alice Robinson commented that Mr. Mazs “had a problem with drink and drugs but didn’t deserve to die”. She further informed Montgomery: “He had done nothing to you.” Defence barrister John Morgans conveyed that Montgomery expressed regret for “the tragic consequences in that thoughtless moment”. Detective Inspector Alix Wright, from Norfolk Police, stated that Montgomery employed “severe” force against his victim. She remarked: “The attack by Martin Montgomery was completely unprovoked on somebody who was not showing them any aggression whatsoever and was actually leaving at the time.” Detective Inspector Wright added: “We welcome today’s sentencing for the murder conviction and thank the jury.” She concluded: “Hopefully this will give some sort of closure to Nigel Mazs’ family.”