A man has been found guilty of murder in the death of a neighbour at an Oxford park.

Liam Jones, 45, of Bonar Road, battered Phillip Breach to death in Wood Farm Park in Headington on November 30, 2022.

Mr Breach, aged 59, suffered 37 separate blows, the court heard.

A jury found Liam Jones, Oxford, guilty of one count of murder by majority verdict at Reading Crown Court today, Friday, March 22. 

He was remanded in custody and is due to be sentenced at the same court on May 23.

At around 6.05am on November 30, 2022, officers attended Wood Farm Park between Wood Farm Road and Nuffield Road following a report of a man calling for help.

The victim, Phillip, was found with a head wound in a critical condition beside a path in the park.

Phillip was taken to the John Radcliffe Hospital for further treatment but he sadly died soon afterwards.

A post mortem concluded that the cause of death was blunt force trauma to the head and neck.

Jones was arrested on December 1, 2022 and charged on December 5, 2022.

Senior investigating officer Detective Inspector Pete Clarke, of the major crime unit, said: “First and foremost, I would like to commend Phillip Breach’s family for their patience as they have had to wait over 15 months for justice, as the trial had to be abandoned last year due to Liam Jones’ ill health.

“A very dangerous man, Jones, has now been convicted of murdering Phillip after a lengthy and thorough investigation.

“Thames Valley Police will never tolerate such violence in its communities and will always seek to bring offenders to justice.”

Not long after after the incident happened tributes were released from the family. 

Mr Breach's children described him as ‘one in a billion’ man who would help anyone.

In a tribute, Mr Breach’s children Daniella, Jordan, Tyler, Laylan and Stacey told the Oxford Mail: “Our dad, Phil, was simply one in a billion.

“You would never find another man like him. He was kind, so, so funny, and would help anyone.

“He never judged anyone no matter if they were homeless, rich or poor; he didn't care.

“He was just the best.”

The children added: “Everyone who knew our dad would comment on what a kind gentle soul he was."

They had been left 'distraught' by their father's death, they said. “RIP dad, you will never be forgotten.”