On Halloween, three assailants killed a 22-year-old man in front of his own house and were sentenced to life in prison.
After a five-week trial that resulted in the trio’s murder conviction after two of them carried out a knife assault, Tuviah Thompson-Hordle, Charles Lynch, and Carlos Fonseca came before the judge.
Reece Heffernan, 22, was attacked in Tilehurst, Reading, where he was fatally stabbed in the chest, by Fonseca, 24, and Thompson-Hordle, 18.
Madison Henderson, a 19-year-old defendant from Reading’s Kings Road, was found guilty of conspiring to obstruct justice by concealing evidence as well as of conspiring to distribute a class B prohibited substance.
At an earlier hearing, Damian Wozniak, 19, also of Kings Road, confessed to the same two crimes.
Hamzah Ahmed, 19, was also exonerated of murder but had acknowledged to one count of conspiring to provide class B narcotics in the past.
The charges of conspiring to obstruct justice and conspiring to provide narcotics against 24-year-old Umer Arshad were also dropped.
Nicholas Heffernan, Mr. Heffernan’s father, stated in a victim statement read in court: “On October 31, Reece and I were together, and we were discussing going on vacation to Spain with his brothers. We were all quite joyful.
I last saw Reece alive at that point, she said. The cops informed me that he had died one hour later. I daydream all day long. I catch myself gazing off into space as I consider his passing.
Tyrone Smith defended Lynch by saying, “This was a collective assault.” It is acknowledged that Charles was one of the two individuals with blades. There was a planning component. There is no proof he organised the automobile.
Nobody could not be touched by the remarks read aloud in court, Louise Sweet, Thompson-attorney, Hordle’s said. He agrees to play a crucial role. Just a few weeks had passed since his 18th birthday when the offence was committed.
“He fell into crime, and unfortunately it was his engagement in criminality that led to the horrific offence on October last year,” said Tom Godfrey, who was speaking on behalf of Fonseca.
“Each of you pled not guilty to murder, but were found guilty by a jury because of what was overwhelming evidence,” said the sentencing judge, Heather Norton. Each of you either made a direct contribution to the assault or participated in some other way.
“Each of you took action to get rid of the murder’s tools once it was done. You guys must be sentenced for conspiring to provide class B narcotics as well.
On October 31, 2021, just after 10.30 p.m., the three of you all drove an MG automobile up and down the street. Three males were waiting outside Romany Road in Reading.
“Fonseca drove the MG up and down the road three times, and on the fourth time, you pulled up outside No. 12.”
Your two passengers exited the vehicle as soon as possible and started walking toward the home. You were all covered head to toe.
Lynch and Hordle had knives in their possession. Reece Heffernan was slain in an assault that you two initiated.
Although a post-mortem examination report states there was just one knife wound, surveillance footage reveals many strikes were attempted or delivered.
“Fonseca drove the automobile to Woodley, where you and Wosniak and Henderson started getting rid of the evidence, including the clothes, masks, guns, phones, and the car.”
“Fonseca brought the MG to a car yard with a co-defendant who started hiding the car’s distinguishing marks.”
Then, in order to avoid being discovered, Hordle and Lynch had your hair cropped, and Fonseca often moved residences.
“Most people are speculating as to the motives behind Mr. Heffernan’s death. I do not in any way hold Reece Heffernan accountable for what happened to him.
He must only be seen as the victim of a heinous act, and in no other manner.
Fonseca, of Fawn Drive in Three Mile Cross, Berks, was given a life sentence with a 27-year minimum. Prior to becoming eligible for parole consideration, he must complete the whole minimum sentence. If parole is granted, he will have a lifetime licence.
Thompson-Hordle, of Brant Close in Arborfield, Berks, was sentenced to life in prison with a mandatory minimum of 24 years. Before he may be considered for parole, he must complete the whole minimum sentence as well. If he is given parole, he will also have a lifetime licence.
Lynch, of Earley, Reading, Berkshire, received a minimum sentence of 20 years in prison. Additionally, he will be on a lifetime licence and must complete the mandatory minimum sentence before being eligible for consideration for parole.