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Two men sentenced to life

Northumbria Police

21 April 2011


Two men who murdered a vulnerable North Shields man have been sentenced to life in prison.
The body of Andrew Smart, 47, was discovered at his home in Sibthorpe Street, North Shields on February 28, 2010. He died following a sustained assault which caused multiple injuries.
The men are now starting sentences after being found guilty of murder and conspiracy to steal. They are: Ryan Saint, 21, of Rudyerd Street, North Shields who was given a life sentence and must serve a minimum of 22 years before being eligible for parole for both offences. Ryan John William Leck, 19, of Lower Rudyerd Street, North Shields, also given a life sentence and must serve a minimum of 21 years for both offences before being eligible for parole.
A third man, Anthony Smith, 19, of Gardner Place, North Shields, previously pleaded guilty to two counts of burglary and was sentenced to 16 months imprisonment.
Andrew Smart had battled an alcohol problem for a number of years and had recently moved to North Tyneside after parting from his family in Surrey. He had been a hard working, intelligent man who held down a good job as a self employed software engineer. But his life had changed and in the months before he died he was seen as a vulnerable figure in North Shields.
Detectives investigating his murder found that a group of young men targeted him, because of his drink problem. They came into his home and initially caused a nuisance and exploited him, incidents he did not report to the police. Over a period their behaviour became more threatening and dangerous.  They bullied him, stole from him and assaulted him. These actions undoubtedly caused Mr Smart great distress.
He was last seen with evident facial injuries, caught on CCTV, on Thursday, February 25, last year while shopping in North Shields and was found dead in his home a few days later.
Senior Investigating Officer Detective Chief Inspector Peter Bent, of the Major Investigation Team said: "This has been a very upsetting and difficult time for Mr Smart's family and I hope they now feel that justice has been done. The murder has had a major effect on the family as a whole and Andrew's children in particular who are keenly feeling his loss.
"It is totally abhorrent that a group of people can behave in this way which culminated in the death of a vulnerable man who needed help.
"Northumbria Police will always seek to help those who need our assistance and no one should have to suffer in the way that Mr Smart did. It is very sad that he felt unable to seek help from the police, but that may have been the result of his alcohol problem.
"Our thoughts are very much with Mr Smart's family at this time.
"I would also like to commend the work of my investigation team. This was an incredibly difficult investigation in many ways and it took twelve months of monumental effort to secure these convictions.  Their efforts are truly a credit to themselves and Northumbria Police."

Caption: Richard Smart, Andrew Smart, Rachael Smart.
Family comment from Mr Smart's daughter, Rachael. She said: "I cannot forgive these people for what they have done; we all lost someone that we loved and cherished, it was a day that I will never come to terms with or understand. My dad was cruelly taken away from us at a time when he was vulnerable and had been taken advantage of.  "I am satisfied with the verdict today as my dad has been deprived of the rest of his life and it's only right that these murderers should be deprived of enjoying their lives. "The whole family would like to personally thank everyone from Northumbria Police for their hard work and dedication on this difficult and complicated case.My brother and I will miss my dad every day of our lives."