Shooter guilty of murdering intruder who burst into his Wakefield home looking for drugs

A resident who gunned down a man who broke into his home looking to steal his drugs has been found guilty of his murder.

Adrian Frost stood trial at Leeds Crown Court after shooting dead Connor Batty who burst into the 61-year-old’s home in Hemsworth in September last year.

Frost claimed self defence but a jury unanimously convicted him after an eight-day trial. They spent less than a day deliberating.

He was remanded back into custody and will be sentenced on Monday, July 13.

The judge warned him he faced a mandatory life sentence, with the minimum term he must serve to be decided.

Frost previously entered guilty pleas to possession of a prohibited firearm and production of Class B drugs, but denied murder.

Mr Batty, 26, was part of a gang looking to force entry into Frost’s home and take his cannabis farm on the night of September 11 last year.

Three of the four bedrooms of the property on Barnsley Road were being used to grow the drug.

They burst into the property after shouting at Frost that he “knew what they were there for”.

Frost loaded up the illegal 12-bore shotgun and when the three men forced their way in, he was stood on the stairs and shot Mr Batty through the chest from a distance of less than 1.5 metres.

Mr Batty had a Glock pistol in his hand at the time.

Frost later told police that he had slipped and accidentally fired the weapon, which he later admitted was a lie.

Multiple weapons were later recovered from Frost’s home, including machetes, knives, baseball bats, CS gas canisters and a baton. More than 500 shotgun cartridges were found.

The unlicensed shotgun was kept near his bed. One sword was even fixed to the headboard of his bed.

Giving evidence during the trial, Frost said he should be permitted to defend his own home, but denied the weapons were to help guard his cannabis crop, saying he has always had an interest.

He claimed he was panicking and feared for his own safety, especially after spotting Mr Batty with the pistol in his hand.

Meanwhile, Mr Batty’s accomplices were sentenced in May for their part in the bungled raid.

Lewis Bromley, 26, of Rose Avenue, Darfield, Barnsley, and Dylan Kelly, 24, of Locksley Gardens, Birdwell, Barnsley, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit burglary, possession of an imitation firearm while committing burglary, and possession of an offensive weapon in relation to a pickaxe handle.

Bromley was sentenced to a total of four years and six months in prison and Kelly to four years and four months.

Connor Turner, 29, of Schofield Road, Darfield, Barnsley, pleaded guilty conspiracy to commit burglary and possession of an offensive weapon in relation to a pickaxe handle.

He was found not guilty of possession of an imitation firearm while committing burglary. He was sentenced to a total of three years imprisonment.

Senior investigating officer, temporary Detective Superintendent Matt Holdsworth said: “Although Connor Batty was committing an aggravated burglary targeting Frost’s cannabis growing set-up and illicit wealth and would have received a similar custodial sentence to his associates had he survived, he did not deserve to lose his life.

“Frost made no attempt to contact the police when he retreated inside his home and chose to arm himself with a gun and lay in wait before using a level of force that was grossly disproportionate.

“This is not a case of an ordinary member of the public defending his home in the heat of the moment using force that is disproportionate. The law caters for these circumstances.

“He was a drug dealer who had an illegally held sawn-off shotgun and ammunition immediately to hand to defend his criminal enterprise. He used deadly force without justification, and it is right that he has been prosecuted and held responsible for killing Connor Batty.

“The jury has given full consideration to the circumstances and has found him guilty of murder.

“Connor’s family are innocent parties in this tragic situation, and our thoughts are with them as they continue to come to terms with their loss.”