Barking Father and Son Jailed for Brutal Murder
Bobby Ternent, 32, and his father Gary Ternent, 59, both from Movers Lane, Barking, were sentenced at the Old Bailey on Tuesday, April 19, for the savage murder of John Avers.
Both men were handed life sentences. Bobby must serve at least 25 years, while Gary faces a minimum of 23 years behind bars. The pair were found guilty following a tense trial in the same court.
Attack in Dagenham Car Park
The chilling crime unfolded on the evening of September 13, 2020. The Ternents lured their friend John Avers, 47, to a quiet supermarket car park in Dagenham. Once there, they viciously beat him and then deliberately ran him over not once, but four times. The horrific attack left John dead or dying, abandoned in the car park.
John’s family spoke out after the sentencing, describing their heartbreak:
“When we got the knock on the door, our lives changed forever. The pain of being told John had died—and the manner in which he died—was heart breaking.”
“We think about John every day. He was a good dad who loved his girls unconditionally. They’ve lost their dad in a way nothing can replace.
“There will be milestones and achievements he’ll never see, but he will always live in our hearts and memories. Our hearts are broken, and I’m not sure we’ll ever feel the same again.”
“People say time heals all wounds. I hope that’s true because John was loved by many and always will be.”
Cold-Blooded Execution, Says Top Cop
Detective Chief Inspector Mark Rogers condemned the attack as a “cold and calculated execution.”
“John was already defenseless after being attacked by Bobby. There’s no excuse for holding him down and running him over four times. It’s absolutely barbaric.”
“This horrific crime shocked witnesses and traumatised John’s family. I hope the sentences bring them some comfort and closure.”
How the Horrific Murder Unfolded
- On September 13, Bobby and John arranged to meet in Wood Lane, Dagenham.
- Bobby picked John up in a silver BMW X6, with Gary in the passenger seat.
- They drove to a supermarket car park on Whalebone Lane South.
- Bobby opened the rear door, an argument broke out, and John was dragged from the car.
- Bobby attacked John while Gary took the driver’s seat.
- Attempting to reverse the car, Gary struggled and switched places with Bobby.
- Bobby then ran John over four times, as Gary watched.
- Afterwards, they drove off, leaving John fatally wounded.
Back home, Bobby changed his clothes and took off his shoes before Gary burned the car down a short distance away. The car was on false plates, bought just a month earlier to cover their tracks.
Police were alerted by terrified residents who heard John’s screams. Witnesses watched in horror as John was deliberately run over four times.
Emergency services arrived minutes later, but John was pronounced dead at the scene.
Evidence and Arrests
The post-mortem revealed John suffered horrific multiple injuries, including crushed bones and penetrating lung wounds.
Police combed through hours of CCTV, capturing the entire attack and the Ternents’ movements before and after.
Bobby was arrested on September 18 after intelligence led officers to stop a vehicle near Gravesend. Gary was arrested the next day in Southend-on-Sea, where he had checked into a guest house without booking, paying cash and extending his stay suspiciously.
During interviews, Gary refused to comment. Bobby admitted to running John over but claimed he panicked after John threatened his family and that the attack was not premeditated.
Bobby also said John had asked him to hold £40,000 of stolen drug money, which sparked the deadly confrontation. However, the jury rejected Bobby’s story, proving John was no villain but a former successful businessman specialising in sash windows.
This grim case closes with justice served, as Barking’s father and son now face decades behind bars for a brutal and senseless murder.
