Friend swapped killer's vehicle to help evade arrest

A MAN has admitted helping his friend evade capture from police by supplying him with a different vehicle after he'd killed a dad in a vicious attack.

- DAVID HUNTLEY Reporter

In 2023, Jake McIntyre attacked pedestrian Andrew Peart after they clashed in what began as a minor traffic altercation in Guide Post, Northumberland.

After words were exchanged, Mr Peart - who was intoxicated - challenged McIntyre to a fight. Later, McIntyre - who was said to have had amateur boxing and cage fighting experience - returned to the scene after arming himself with a metal wheel brace and hit Mr Peart in the head with it after tracking him down. He later recording himself bragging, saying he had “wrapped a pole around his head”.

Mr Peart sustained catastrophic brain injuries and died at Northumbria Specialist Emergency Care Hospital in Cramlington a week after the attack.

McIntyre, of Stakeford Crescent, Stakeford, Ashington, was cleared of murder by jurors at Newcastle Crown Court, but convicted of manslaughter and jailed for 14 years.