Driver Dragged Liam to Death in Burnt-Out Car Tragedy
Martin Eastwood, 22, from Epsom, was found guilty of murder at the Old Bailey on Monday, 7 March. Daniel Morris, 22, who has no fixed address, earlier pleaded guilty to manslaughter. Jasmine Robinson, 19, also from Epsom, was convicted of assisting an offender.
Burnt-Out Car Tried to Cover Tracks
The fatal crash happened in the early hours of 26 July 2019. Liam, 25, was slammed by a stolen Ford S-MAX and dragged half a mile along Osborne Way, Chessington. The driver didn’t stop. The car was later found alight on Cyclamen Way, Epsom, about a mile from the scene.
Detectives faced a tough probe after the car was set on fire to destroy evidence. But forensic experts and police pieced together the vehicle’s movements using CCTV and telematics data. They tracked the Ford’s speed and location, proving Eastwood was behind the wheel as Liam was struck.
Fury Over Callous Crime
“The actions of Martin Eastwood were callous and intentional. Liam did not stand a chance when he was struck by the car and dragged along the road to his death,” said Detective Inspector Garth Hall of the Specialist Crime Command.
Liam’s friends had clashed earlier that night with occupants of a stolen Volvo V40 outside a Chessington pub. No injuries were reported then. Later, Liam was hit by the Ford while walking home.
Accomplices Busted for Cover-Up
Robinson was caught helping Eastwood flee to Sheffield right after the murder. She bought coach tickets and searched online about the crime. That behaviour earned her a conviction for assisting an offender.
Between August and December 2019, ten people were arrested linked to the case, including charges for murder and perverting the course of justice.
All three culprits will be sentenced on Thursday, 31 March. Liam’s family and detectives hope this verdict brings some justice for the tragic loss.
