Grandfather beaten to death in bed, court told

A "vulnerable" grandfather was beaten to death in his bed with a "blunt weapon" by a man he had recently met, a court has heard.

John Boyle, 71, was probably asleep when he was attacked at his flat in Leatherland Court, Kettering, jurors at Northampton Crown Court were told on Tuesday.

John Mills, 46, of Marriott Street, Northampton, who is standing trial for his murder, has denied the charge and says someone else was responsible for Boyle's death.

During the hearing, prosecutor Andrew Vout KC alleged that Mills had carried out a "brutal and cowardly attack" on Boyle with "something like a baseball bat or hammer".

He told the court the attack "caused catastrophic injuries to John Boyle".

Vout said that Boyle had a "mental health breakdown" in the months before his death and was "vulnerable".

He told jurors that Mills had become acquainted with Boyle about 10 days before the alleged attack on 26 October 2025.

He said police found a baseball cap containing Mills' DNA near Boyle's body.

Jurors also heard that Mills took Boyle's Vauxhall Astra car and visited seaside towns, including Skegness, Great Yarmouth, Norfolk, and Clacton-on-Sea.

Mills admits taking the car without authority but denies theft. He told police he had bought the car he had been using.

Vout told the court Mills was "keen to impress" women and was trying "desperately" to impress a woman he was involved with called Jordan White, of Victoria Street, Kettering.

He said Boyle's bank account was emptied of around £3,500 prior to Mills' arrest on 8 November.

Mills has admitted conspiring with White to steal cash from Boyle. Vout said it was not suggested White was involved in Boyle's murder.

He said Mills told police he had not known Boyle and had never "set foot" in his flat.

Vout told jurors: "John Mills says we have got the wrong person.

"That someone else is responsible for the killing of John Boyle."

The trial, being overseen by Judge Rebecca Crane, continues.

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