Bedworth man found guilty of murder

It's following a six-week trial at Warwick Crown Court.

A man has been found guilty of murdering Daniel Pitham in Bedworth last year. 

John Robert Allison, 36, of Bulkington Road, Bedworth, was found guilty of murdering Daniel following a six-week trial at Warwick Crown Court.

On 4 May 2019, 33 year old Daniel also from Bedworth, went to Allison’s house with another defendant, Scott Warner.

While they were there an argument broke out and Allison stabbed Daniel five times. Daniel died at the scene from a stab wound to the heart.

Following the attack Allison and Warner rolled Daniel up in a carpet and put him under the stairs.

John Allison exchanged texts with Toni Allison about the incident. Toni Allison disposed of her phone and she advised John to do the same in order to cover their tracks.

Police discovered Daniel’s body the following day after his family raised concern for his safety.

John Allison handed himself in to police on 8 May following a wanted appeal. He denied murdering Daniel claiming he has accidentally stabbed him in self-defence.

However, the jury found him guilty of Daniel’s murder and he will be sentenced on 2 March 2020. He had previously pleaded guilty to perverting the course of justice.

Toni Allison, 34, of Springfield Crescent, Bedworth, was found guilty of two counts of perverting the course of justice. She will be sentenced on 2 March.

Scott Warner, 36, of Missing Oak Close, Bedworth, had previously pleaded guilty to perverting the course of justice. He will be sentenced on 2 March.

Detective Chief Inspector Anna Middleton from Warwickshire Police Major Investigation Unit said: “This was shocking and appalling crime for which Allison has shown no remorse. We may never know exactly what happened in the moments leading up to this incident but we do know that following an altercation Allison stabbed Daniel five times. One of these wounds killed him.

“Where most decent people would have reported this horrific crime, Toni Allison and Scott Warner did everything they could to assist John Allison, cover his tracks and obstruct the police investigation.

“Our thoughts are with Daniel’s family and friends who have lost a loved one in such terrible circumstances. I hope this sentence will go some way to helping them come to terms with his death.”