Life for groom who set fire to best man

5:12pm Wednesday 23rd July 2008

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A groom who turned his best man into a human fireball and fled to Oxford has been jailed for life.

Wayne Barnes repeatedly battered John Maynard over the head after breaking into his flat.

'In an act of unspeakable savagery and ruthless betrayal you decided to kill the man who had been a close friend to you'

Judge David Rennie

Then, as the father-of-two lay helpless, he set fire to him in a bid to finish him off.

The attack came just a month after Mr Maynard had paid for Barnes's wedding and given him furniture for the flat he shared with his new wife Melissa.

Judge David Rennie described what Barnes did as an "act of unspeakable savagery" and ruthless betrayal.

The judge said that Barnes should not be considered for parole for at least 15 years.

After leaving his Mr Maynard for dead Barnes stole the removal firm boss's safe containing £30,000 and fled in the victim's car to Oxford.

There he used the victim's store card and documents to assume his identity, buy a mobile phone and call prostitutes.

Mr Maynard, 37, suffered horrific injuries in the attack and lay close to death for several hours before he was found by police in his blood soaked flat in Pier Road, Littlehampton.

He suffered 40 per cent burns and both his legs had to be amputated below the knee.

Mr Maynard also lost the fingers on his left hand and has been left with permanent brain damage after his skull was fractured in eight places.

Barnes, of Shelby Road, Durrington, Worthing, was found guilty of attempted murder by a jury at Hove Crown Court on Tuesday.

Judge David Rennie told Barnes: "In an act of unspeakable savagery and ruthless betrayal you decided to kill the man who had been a close friend to you.

"He had given you money when you needed it, gave you employment when he could, paid for your wedding and agreed to be your best man."