Man on early release who murdered dog walker in 'outburst of horrific violence' is jailed for life

A man who beat a woman to death in a "vicious and brutal attack" as she walked her dog, having previously been in prison for a similar assault on a man in his 80s, has been jailed for life.

- Vikram Dodd

Anita Rose, 57, was found grievously wounded on 24 July 2024 in Brantham, Suffolk, with her dog tied to her leg by its lead to stop it running off. Her attacker was Roy Barclay, 56, who had been living rough to escape capture.

He had been jailed for a 2015 attack on a man in his 80s, who was also found with his dog tied to his leg.

Barclay had been released early from a 10-year sentence, but was wanted for recall to prison for breaching the terms of his licence when he attacked Rose, a mother of six. The court heard she suffered a "vicious and brutal attack" with Barclay's reining down "kicks, stamps and blows" on her. His boot print matched those found on her body.

Rose died four days later in hospital, having been found by passersby, suffering injuries similar to those of a victim of a car crash.