Channel 4 24 Hours in Police Custody

10/01/2024

Tonight, Channel 4 [1] viewers will be taken behind the scenes of a police investigation into a shocking double murder at a baby shower in the early hours of November 13, 2022. Over the course of two episodes, 24 Hours in Police Custody – Caught on Camera Killers [2] delves into the murders of Adam Fanelli, 39, and Patrick Howard, 27, who died under brutal circumstances after a brief row broke out at the event, which was held at a pub in the Bedfordshire town of Houghton Regis. During 27 seconds of ‘carnage’ that Bedfordshire Police [3] say ‘spilled out onto the streets’, killers Nicholas Papworth and Anthony Bennison stabbed and ran over their victims.

Mr Fanelli died from a fatal stab wound, while Mr Howard, who was left paralysed from the stabbing attack, was hit by a car driven by Papworth and dragged down the road after becoming trapped beneath the vehicle. Both men were declared dead at the scene. A third man, Mason Jordan, was left ‘seriously injured’ during the attack, after being stabbed eight times in the chest and neck but managed to survive the ordeal.

Following an an eight-week trial at Luton Crown Court, Papworth, 33, and Bennison, 25, were found guilty of 12 offences, including murder and attempted murder, and given respective minimum prison sentences of of 34 years and 38 years. While Bennison was convicted of two counts of murder, Papworth was cleared over the death of Mr Fanelli but found guilty of Howard’s attempted murder.

Mr Bates vs Post Office: Real story of sinister clue that finally exposed scandal [4] Nicholas Papworth Footage shows Papworth glaring at police while under questioning (Channel 4)

Officers were able to identify the killers using CCTV footage as well as help from members of the local community. Handing down the sentence, Judge Michael Simon stated that Mr Fanelli and Mr Howard’s lives had been ‘brutally cut short’.

He continued: “Nothing this court can do will fill the cavernous void in the hearts of the victims’ loved ones. The events between 1am and 1.10am can only be described in one word – carnage. The evening started by celebrating new life and ended in mourning and disbelief at the unspeakable and shocking violence.”

Killer’s glare at police

Chilling footage shown in the documentary shows Papworth glaring at police who questioned him after his arrest.

Officer DC Hobday put it to the killer that he was punched in The Crown Pub before threatening: ‘I’m going to get you’, asking him whether his intention really was to ‘get them’. Papworth coldly responded, ‘no comment’, going on to give the same two word answer throughout the interview. His demeanour changed significantly however once he was permitted a phone call with a loved one, and could be heard weeping, “I don’t know when I’ll see you again.

I love you.”

Anthony Bennison stabbed three men in Houghton Regis, killing two of them (Channel 4)

Panicked 999 call

In recordings of 999 calls released by police, concerned witnesses can be heard asking officers to attend the scene. In one panicked call, a panicked person urged: “Quick, somebody’s dead. Get to Tithe Farm Road now.

Somebody’s dead.” Another caller reported: “I’ve got a car trying to run people over, multiple people arguing. He keeps hitting other people’s cars as well.” The court heard that the altercation unfolded when Mr Jordan punched Papworth while still inside the pub.

Several people in the pub broke up the fight, after which point Mr Jordan and Mr Howard headed home. In what has been described as an ‘utterly senseless’ act, Bennison and Papworth then pursued the two men and subjected them to a horrific attack, using ‘their cars as weapons’ as per Prosecutor Simon Denison KC. Mr Fanelli, who knew Mr Jordan and Mr Howard, headed out to check what was going on after hearing screaming and the sound of an engine revving.

He told his mother he would be ‘back in a minute’ as he walked out of the house, not realising this would be the last time.

Adam Fanelli headed out to check what was going on after hearing screams from the street (Channel 4)Patrick Howard was described as being ‘loyal beyond measure’ (Channel 4)

In a statement read out in court, Mr Howard’s family said: “Pat was loyal beyond measure and had respect, morals and values. This wasn’t a coincidence or an accident. This was a choice.

A choice of others. As a family, where do we go from here?” Meanwhile, Mr Fanelli was described by loved ones as a ‘loving and devoted dad’.

In a statement, his family shared: “He was a person that emulated ‘once met, never forgotten’ in every way possible. He’s going to be missed eternally, leaving a void that could never be filled. The family would like to thank everyone for their messages of support and beautiful tributes to both Adam and Pat.”

You can catch 24 Hours In Police Custody: Murder On Camera at 9pm, January 9 on Channel 4 Do you have a story to share? Email us at [email protected]

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