Jilted husband jailed for battering estranged wife’s new lover to death with son’s help after finding him in wardrobe

A DAD who battered his estranged wife's new lover to death with his son's help after finding him hiding in a wardrobe has been jailed.

Wayne Peckham, 49, and son Riley Peckham, 23, kicked, stamped and punched Matthew Rodwell, 39, during the savage attack.

Matthew had been in a relationship with Riley's mum Kerry Peckham, who was estranged from husband Wayne.

Riley shouted out "You're going to die, you're going to die" after finding Matthew in the cupboard at Kerry's home in Downham Market, Norfolk.

Wayne then acted with his son to "settle scores” in a “joint enterprise”.

The pair have now been jailed for a total of 42 years after being convicted of murder.

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Wayne Peckham was caged for 24 years, while son Riley was handed 18 years.

Norwich Crown Court heard Wayne and Riley had turned up at Kerry's home on January 23 last year.

Riley clambered onto the roof of the property before entering through a window.

"Terrified" Matthew then called 999 as he cowered in the wardrobe in Kerry's youngest son's bedroom.

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Riel Karmy-Jones KC, prosecuting, said he expressed "genuine fear" about what was about to happen to the call operator.

Riley then told his dad "he's here" after discovering Matthew.

Kerry told how she heard struggling coming from upstairs as she desperately tried to stop her ex barging past her.

Wayne then began "kicking, stamping and punching" Matthew to "his body and face" after he tumbled down the stairs.

The court was told Kerry was also struck as she attempted to protect her partner during the attack.

Ms Karmy-Jones described the attack on Matthew as a “planned and vicious assault”.

She added: “Riley and Wayne were at the time of the incidents not just father and son, but close allies.

“Both of them were content to use aggression and violence to achieve their aims".

Police arrived at the home to find "screaming" coming from inside and Matthew lying stricken in the hall.

Wayne Peckham initially tried hiding from officers behind a curtain but was eventually arrested.

His son was caught a couple of hours later at his step-grandad's home after he fled the scene.

Tragically, Matthew couldn't be saved and was declared dead at the scene.

A post mortem found he had suffered more than 40 "significant" injuries and died from strangulation.

The court was told Kerry had moved in with Matthew after ending her "turbulent" marriage to the father of her three children.

She claims he was "rough, volatile and controlling” towards her and a "bad influence" on son Riley.

Matthew had moved into her home but was forced to park his car some distance away so Wayne would not find out.

Senior investigating officer Detective Inspector Chris Burgess, from the Major Investigation Team, said: "This was a harrowing and brutal murder and I know some of the evidence given in court, especially the 999 call, has been difficult to listen to.

"In this call, we hear the final frightening moments of Matthew's life, a life taken by the actions of two men overcome with jealousy and rage, acting like a pack of animals."

Wayne was also convicted of two counts of assault occasioning actual bodily harm over an earlier assault against another man which happened in December 2021 in Downham Market.

Wayne was cleared of assault by beating over the incident.