Margate Man Jailed for Life After Strangling Homeless Friend He Invited In
Trevor Brazier, 48, has been sentenced to life in prison for murdering Kevin Tridgell, a homeless man he had welcomed into his Margate flat. Brazier strangled Mr Tridgell after a night of drinking, then called police to confess the killing at around 6am on 2 June 2018.
Disturbing Timeline of Events
- On the evening of 1 June, Brazier invited 38-year-old Kevin Tridgell back to his Northdown Avenue flat.
- They spent the night drinking together, but tensions rose after Mr Tridgell fell asleep.
- By 1.50am the next day, Brazier called ambulance services with conflicting reports of Mr Tridgell’s condition — unconscious, drunk, and fighting.
- Police arrived to find Mr Tridgell intoxicated and sleeping; paramedics advised he would remain asleep for hours.
- Brazier repeatedly urged police to remove the man, claiming he feared theft and had to be up for work.
- Officers explained they had no power to evict the homeless guest and refused to intervene.
- At 4.40am a neighbour overheard Brazier angrily shouting to get someone out of his flat, while a man’s apologetic voice was heard responding.
- At 6am, Brazier made his third call to emergency services, confessing to strangling Mr Tridgell.
Claims Rejected as Jury Delivers Guilty Verdict
Brazier told the court he acted in self-defence, claiming Mr Tridgell tried to attack him with a knife. But his story failed to convince the jury at Maidstone Crown Court, who found him guilty of murder on 30 April 2019.
Life Sentence with Minimum 12 Years Behind Bars
On 2 May, Brazier was handed a life sentence and must serve at least 12 years and 213 days before parole is even considered — factoring in time already spent in custody.
Detective Inspector Chris Greenstreet from the Kent and Essex Serious Crime Directorate said:
“Our officers spoke to Brazier multiple times that night, advising him to let Mr Tridgell sleep it off. Kevin hadn’t caused any trouble and hadn’t woken during visits from emergency services. But fuelled by alcohol, Brazier attacked the man he had invited into his home, leading to tragic consequences.”
This grim case highlights the danger of alcohol-fuelled violence and the limits of police intervention in private disputes involving vulnerable individuals.
