Drugged-up decorator who went on a ‘revenge mission’ with his son, running over and killing a grandfather after a row, is convicted of murder – with his boy also facing jail for manslaughter

A drugged-up decorator who deliberately drove into a group of people to avenge his son has has been convicted of murdering a grandfather.

Martin and Shawn Breeze mowed down victim Brian Derby, 60, who was carried on the bonnet of the Citreon Berlingo for 150 metres, whilst also injuring others.

The vehicle then drove off the road, across a grass verge and onto a footpath in Ingleby Barwick, Teesside, at around 11.30pm on February 2.

Breeze, 57, answered a phone call from his son Shaun, 29, who had got into a disagreement with the group in a local bar.

Grandfather, Mr Darby died at the scene from his injuries, while three others were also hurt and one narrowly avoided being struck.

Martin Breeze, 57, (pictured) who deliberately mowed down grandfather Brian Derby in a revenge mission with his son has been convicted of murder 

Brian Derby (pictured), 60, who was carried on the bonnet of the Citreon Berlingo for 150 metres at around 11.30pm on February 2

The prosecution at Teesside Crown Court said Martin Breeze was out for revenge when he picked his son up in his van and then mowed the group down.

They then dumped the vehicle and went back to the home they shared in Owls Grove, Ingleby Barwick.

The court heard the father was encouraged and assisted to pick the group out by Shaun Breeze.

Police suspected that Shaun Breeze was selling drugs on the night he had a disagreement with the group while he was on his bike, before two members chased him away. 

Following a trial Martin Breeze was convicted of murdering Mr Darby, four counts of attempted murder and perverting the course of justice by later lying to police that the van had been stolen at the time of the crash.

Shaun Breeze was cleared of murder but convicted of Mr Darby’s manslaughter. 

He was also cleared of four counts of attempted murder but was guilty of causing grievous bodily harm with intent as an alternative, as well as perverting the course of justice.

Mr Justice Jacobs said he will sentence the pair on Friday, August 2.

Martin Breeze had admitted causing death by dangerous driving, claiming he lost control of the van after drinking and taking drugs that day, but that was not accepted by the prosecution.

Martin’s son Shaun Breeze (pictured) was cleared of murder but convicted of Mr Darby’s manslaughter

‘It goes without saying that [the verdict] will not bring our Brian back, nor lessen the pain and anguish we have suffered in losing him and we will continue to suffer forever,’ Brian’s family said

Outside court, Mr Darby’s family said: ‘Today’s verdict brings some satisfaction for our family and will hopefully serve as some justice for Brian.

‘It goes without saying that it will not bring our Brian back, nor lessen the pain and anguish we have suffered in losing him and we will continue to suffer forever.

‘We would like to thank the members of the public who shared information with the police and those who did everything they could to try and save Brian that night.

‘It gives us comfort to know that there are still kind and caring people in our community, a stark contrast to those who took his life away and through their denials put our family through the pain of a trial in order to save themselves.

‘For those individuals we have no words.’

Detective Inspector Matt Hollingsworth, from Cleveland Police’s Homicide and Major Enquiry Team, said: 

‘Angry with what had taken place Martin used the van as a weapon to deliberately drive at the group pointed out by Shaun.

‘The consequences of this senseless act has had a devastating impact on so many people.

‘It led to Brian, a well-liked and well-known man in the area he lived, losing his life.

‘He had been enjoying a night out with friends who were all in high spirits as they began walking home.

‘Tragically, that came to end when Shaun – who we believe was out peddling drugs in the area – barged into them.

‘What unfolded next was purely an act of revenge that resulted in murder.

‘We would like to thank the members of the public who shared information with the police and those who did everything they could to try and save Brian that night,’ they added

Brian smiling behind a frame with a pair of goggles draped around his neck

‘The pair then going on to lie and deceive police in an attempt to conceal their crime.

‘However, following swift investigative work we were able to unpick their version of events and build an evidential case that ultimately led to justice for Brian, the other people injured that night and their family.

‘I would like to express my sincere condolences to Brian’s family and friends.

‘It has been an incredibly difficult time for them, and everyone involved in what happened that night. 

‘I hope they can in some way start to rebuild their lives after the pain they have all gone through.’