In a tragic case that has left a family devastated, Jack Forde, 25, has been sentenced to life in prison after beating his frail grandfather, Christopher Martin, to death and hiding his body in a cupboard. The horrifying attack took place at their home on Wild Goose Drive in New Cross, leaving the family grappling with unanswered questions and deep emotional scars.
Forde, who pleaded guilty to manslaughter by diminished responsibility, carried out a vicious assault on his 74-year-old grandfather. He punched, stamped, stabbed, and even poured boiling water on him during the ordeal. The court heard that Forde was disconnected from reality at the time of the attack, believing that he was his sister, Anushka.
Prior to the fatal incident, Forde had moved in with his grandfather after being released from prison in March 2021 for stabbing two strangers in separate incidents the previous year. Despite being found not guilty by reason of insanity, Forde was released back into the community under a supervision order that required him to take epilepsy medication.
The tragedy unfolded when Forde became upset with his grandfather for assisting his pregnant partner in moving out to a new home. In the early hours of May 28, 2021, Forde used his grandfather’s phone to FaceTime his partner while displaying erratic behaviour. He opened a cupboard door, revealing his grandfather inside, and proceeded to assault him further by stomping on him and pouring boiling water on his head, all while uttering chilling words.
Sadly, Mr Martin, who had recently lost his wife of 55 years to Covid-19, had already passed away by that point. The cause of his death was determined to be blunt force trauma to the head, chest, and abdomen, likely resulting from a combination of punches, kicks, and stamps.
Forde’s then-partner witnessed the horrifying scene and informed the authorities by calling emergency services. Forde was apprehended by the police shortly thereafter. The court was filled with heartbroken family members who wept as they listened to the brutal details of the savage attack.
In a victim statement, the family described Mr Martin as a hardworking individual who dedicated his life to caring for his loved ones. The family expressed their devastation and the deep wounds left by this heinous and cowardly act committed by a close family member. They emphasized that no amount of time will heal their broken hearts or the torturous memories of the incident.
During mitigation, Forde’s defence counsel highlighted the lack of support available to Forde following his release under the supervision order. It was noted that he had ceased taking his medication and turned to substance abuse shortly after his release. The defence also presented a troubling background of addiction and childhood abuse, with Forde tragically killing the person he loved most.
In sentencing, Judge Anthony Leonard KC described the injuries inflicted by Forde as truly horrific. Forde was handed a life sentence with a minimum term of 10 years and five months.
The case has shed light on the need for improved support systems for individuals with mental health issues and the importance of providing appropriate care to prevent such tragic outcomes in the future.
