Drug addict found guilty of murdering pal in Leeds tower-block bloodbath
He then dumped his body in the street before casually walking to the shops
A drug addict murdered his friend in his own flat before dragging him outside and dumping his body near communal bins.
Scott Silkstone was found guilty after trial at Leeds Crown Court of the horrific killing of 55-year-old Dwayne Tuohey on New Year’s Day.
The jury returned a unanimous verdict this afternoon.
Photos from the squalid flat in Gargrave Court showed a clear disturbance had taken place with multiple blood stains found across furniture and spattered across walls and surfaces.
Silkstone, who claimed he had no memory of what happened, then dragged Mr Touhey’s body out of the building, stamping and kicking him as he went and which was all caught on CCTV.
Homeless Silkstone was told by Judge Howard Crowson that he now faces a mandatory life sentence. He was remanded back into custody to appear again in court on Monday, September 7.
A decision will be made on the minimum term the 51-year-old will now serve behind bars before being considered for parole.
During the two week trial it was heard that both Silkstone and Mr Tuohey were entrenched drug addicts, spending up to £300 a day on crack and heroin.
Shortly after midnight on New Year’s Day, they were both seen getting into the lift to go back to Mr Tuohey’s Burmantofts flat.
Then shortly after 8am, Silkstone appeared in the lift again, dragging Mr Tuohey’s body. He had just one leg and was extremely thin because of years of drug use.
Silkstone was covered in blood.
Stopping frequently to stamp on Mr Tuohey’s midriff, he eventually dumped his body near to the bins of the Burmantofts block of flats. Two women arriving for work dialled 999.
Silkstone removed Mr Tuohey’s trousers then walked away, heading to the shops where he casually bought a milkshake.
He was arrested a short time later and charged with murder.
Forensic analysis of the flat determined that a sustained and brutal attack on Mr Tuohey had taken place, with items being used to strike him, including his own prosthetic leg.
Silkstone maintained he had no memory of what happened because he was “out of it” on drugs.
But while giving evidence, he then admitted he had “glimpses” of recollection, first saying he remembered finding Mr Tuohey unconscious on the floor, then later saying he remembered striking him with the false limb.
However, he continued to deny inflicting the dozens of injuries that killed Mr Tuohey.
It was heard that in the days leading up to his death, Mr Tuohey had accused Silkstone of “bullying” him, sending him a phone message to say he had “had enough”.
A taxi driver who picked the pair up hours before the murder gave evidence during the trial to say he heard them arguing about money, thought to be Silkstone wanting cash from Mr Tuohey.
Police had even been to Mr Tuohey’s flat to inquire about allegations that he was the victim of intimidation.
Silkstone denied bullying him, saying he was his friend and looked out for him, even shoplifting to raise the money for drugs for them to share.
He said it was drug-taking cycle the pair went through day after day for years.
Silkstone repeatedly said he was not a violent person, but prosecutor Michelle Colborne KC pointed out that he had been jailed for a violent robbery previously.
Speaking after the verdict, Detective Inspector Jodie Hayes, of West Yorkshire Police, said: “My thoughts are with Dwayne Tuohey’s loved ones today.
“Silkstone carried out a prolonged, degrading and vicious assault on a defenceless and vulnerable man who he was abusive to and attempted to control.
“He continued to deny responsibility for Dwayne’s murder despite the overwhelming evidence against him. This meant Dwayne’s family had to endure the continuing anguish of a full trial.
“I hope today’s verdict brings them some closure.”