A MAN has been sentenced for the murder of Thomas Parker following an extensive investigation by British Transport Police.
Kirkpatrick Virgo, of Slough, was found guilty of murder and also of possession of an offensive weapon at Reading Crown Court on Wednesday, March 29, and has now been sentenced to 21 years in jail.
Virgo appeared at the same court for sentencing on Friday, March 31, where the original sentence of 25 years was brought down to 21 following mitigating factors.
Judge Amjad Khan said that elements of racism during the incident, as well as a “lack of intention to kill” and an expression of remorse from Virgo saw the sentence reduced.
He was also handed a concurrent two-year sentence for possession of a deadly weapon.
During the evening of Saturday, July 30, last year, Thomas Parker was onboard an Elizabeth Line service at London Paddington following a football match at the Emirates Stadium.
Virgo and two friends boarded the same train at Slough carrying a music player, with witness accounts stating that they were playing loud music while onboard.
Mr Parker’s brother requested that Virgo turned down the music, which led to a verbal disagreement between the two groups.
Further accounts say that Virgo remarked: “Do you want to die tonight?”
The groups were separated, but CCTV showed that as the train pulled into Reading Station, Virgo pulled a heavy, metal horseshoe from his rucksack.
A second altercation ensued on the station platform, during which Mr Parker noticed Virgo was carrying the horseshoe.
Mr Parker turned his back on Virgo and began to walk away, when he was struck on the back of the head.
While he was laid on the ground, his brother, Craig, pursued Virgo through the station before catching him on the concourse.
Virgo was tackled to the ground, where rail staff intervened and alerted emergency services, who apprehended him.
After the discovery of the horseshoe in Virgo’s rucksack, he was arrested and taken into custody.
Despite the best efforts of South Central Ambulance Service, Thomas Parker died of his injuries around an hour after the attack.
British Transport Police have also released footage showing Virgo holding the horseshoe, followed by footage of his apprehension less than 15 minutes later.
DCI Paul Langley, senior investigating officer in the case, said: “This was a senseless act of violence that stemmed from a minor argument relating to Virgo and his friends playing loud music on a train.
“Tom Parker was travelling home from an Arsenal FC fixture in London with his brother and friends. He was a young man with his whole life ahead of him.
“But that life was taken away by an extremely violent individual who fatally struck him following a disagreement at Reading station.”
He continued: “Thanks to a single shocking act of violence by Kirkpatrick Virgo, Tom’s family now face the rest of their lives without their brother, son and friend.
“We’re pleased that justice has been served today– my thoughts, and the thoughts of my team, remain with Tom’s family.
“While no verdict will ever be justice enough for them, I hope they can take some small comfort in the fact that this violent individual will spend a lengthy period of his life behind bars.”
Thomas Parker’s family described him as “loving and funny,” and said: “he was a very kind, thoughtful, and caring son.
“He was dedicated to his parents, brothers, grandparents, family and friends.”
