Man convicted of murdering homeless man in Penn Park

A man named Joshua Carroll, 29, was found guilty of murdering a homeless man named Headley ‘Barry’ Thomas. The jury reached their decision in just three hours and 45 minutes during a trial that lasted four weeks. Barry Thomas, 51, was found unconscious in Penn Park, Old Trafford, on September 12, 2022, with serious head injuries. He died in the hospital about three weeks later, on October 2, from those injuries. Carroll denied the charges but was convicted at Minshull Street Crown Court. During the trial, he appeared via video link from a psychiatric unit and showed no emotion when the verdict was announced. Sentencing is scheduled for April 10, where he faces a life sentence, but the judge will determine the minimum time he must serve before being eligible for parole. Witnesses reported that Mr. Thomas was well-known in the area and was living in a tent in the park. CCTV footage showed Carroll following him before the assault. Prosecutors argued that Mr. Thomas was violently attacked, leaving him critically injured. After the attack, Mr. Thomas was found next to a bench, bleeding and unable to move. His belongings were disturbed, and he was missing a bicycle that was later seen with Carroll. Forensic evidence placed Mr. Thomas’ DNA on Carroll's shoe. Carroll claimed during the trial that he considered Mr. Thomas a friend and stated he had not harmed him. However, the evidence strongly contradicted his claims, leading to his conviction for murder.