CRIME: The Homeless Killing File

KILLER Mark Numms strangled Richard Jackson after trying to sexually assault him, police believe.

Numms, 25, began a life sentence yesterday after a jury at Oxford Crown Court found him guilty of murdering the teenager he had met at the Bridge homeless hostel.

Richard Jackson, 16, became friendly with Numms when he left his home in Brassey Close, Chipping Norton, to live at the hostel in Iffley Road, Oxford.

But on January 29 last year, Numms took the teenager to a muddy copse in Angel Meadow, near Magdalen Bridge, Oxford, and strangled him, leaving his body lying face down in a puddle.

Det Chief Insp Euan Read, of Thames Valley Police Major Crime Team, said he was relieved by the guilty verdict because he considered Numms a significant threat to the public.

He added: "This was a very sad case of a young lad being preyed upon and being murdered in what can only be described as horrible circum- stances."

Det Chief Insp Read added that he believed Mark Numms was a sexual deviant with serious behavioural problems - and that the murder itself had been sexually motivated.

"I believe he wanted Richard to get into some sort of sexual activity which Richard rebuffed," he said.

The detective also praised the Oxford Mail for pushing forward the police investigation by conducting an interview with Numms.

Det Chief Insp Read said Numms had told the Mail's then deputy news editor Steve Hartley that it looked as if Richard had been raped.

"I wondered why Numms was telling the public this," he said. "The position of Richard's clothing give no indication that he had been sexually assaulted, nor did any subsequent post-mortem examina- tions."

He added that a subsequent police investigation had exonerated staff at the Bridge homeless hostel.

Det Chief Insp Read said: "I would make no criticism whatsoever of the way the Bridge operates. Their staff were very helpful."

Richard's parents Elliott and Julie - now separated - issued a joint statement after the verdict was announced.

It said: "While nothing can compensate for the loss of Richard, we would like to acknowledge the efforts of everyone involved in bringing Mark Numms to trial and conviction.

"In particular, we would like to thank those vulnerable witnesses who demonstrated extreme courage in giving evidence.

"Finally we wish to say that we hope that all those involved in the care of young people will learn from the events leading up to Richard's death."

Earlier the court heard Kevin Williams, an inmate at Bullingdon Prison, reveal how Numms had bragged about the killing in a fellow prisoner's cell while on remand.

Williams, who is currently serving three-and-a-half years for burglary and possession of heroin, said he believed Numms was possibly bisexual.

He thought this was confirmed when Numms seemed concerned about DNA tests being carried out, before admitting he had touched Mr Jackson's body "in the lower regions". Sporting promise ended by a 'friend'

TEENAGER Richard Jackson was a keen sportsman who played rugby for a Bicester youth team and cricket for his home town of Chipping Norton.

But his sporting promise was brought to a brutal end when the 16-year-old was throttled by his 'friend' Mark Numms.

Richard left his family and became homeless after moving to Oxford. He started living at the Bridge Hostel, a centre for the homeless in Iffley Road, in December 1998.

It was here that he met 25-year-old Numms, a well-known face at the hostel and notorious for linking up with younger, more immature residents.

The Jackson family's solicitor, Mark Lowen, said Richard's parents Julie and Elliott were "devastated" by the murder.

"He was a loved child who will be greatly missed. Richard was going through a very difficult time in his life, as many young people do.

"Mr and Mrs Jackson had been trying to maintain contact, providing him with the love and support all three of them shared throughout his life."

Mr Lowen said the couple, of Brassye Close, had split up after the killing. Richard did not know of the split.

Richard Graydon, head- teacher at Chipping Norton School, where Richard was a pupil, said pupils and staff remember him with fondness.

Mr Graydon added: "He was a typical 16-year-old - loveable, vulnerable, charming and infuriating by turns. He had a wonderful, quirky sense of humour. He was fiercely loyal to his friends."

Officials at Bicester Rugby Club and Chipping Norton Cricket Club also paid tribute to his sporting skills.

Charity rejects changes

PROCEDURES at the Bridge hostel underwent a searching review after the murder.

As reported in later editions of yesterday's Oxford Mail, director Barry Stacey said staff were deeply saddened by the death.

The charity has dealt with more than 3,000 homeless people over the past ten years - and Richard's murder was the first such incident to be associated with the centre.

Mr Stacey said the Bridge dealt with a "risky clientele" including lots of young men who had little going for them "other than trying to prove how tough they are".

But an extensive review of procedures came to the conclusion that no major changes were necessary in the way the centre operated.

Story date: February 16, 2000

Story date: Wednesday 16 February

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.