Kirkby man jailed for ‘brutal and totally senseless’ murder of his own father

A Kirkby man has been jailed for life following the “cowardly, brutal and totally senseless” murder of his own father.

Neil Farrington, 51, died in hospital in May last year after being assaulted by his son and suffering serious head injuries.

Neil Badrock, 28, was arrested near to the scene of the attack in Kirkby Row, Westvale, and was today sentenced to life in prison, to serve a minimum of 19 years before being considered for parole.

The family of Mr Farrington said: “We will never forgive Neil Badrock for taking our brother from us in this way and for the devastation and heart break he has brought to all our lives.”

Murder investigation and sentencing

At around 11.25pm on Monday, 17 May, last year, emergency services were called to Westvale, to reports of two men fighting.

Mr Farrington was taken to hospital, where he died four weeks later. His son, of Kenbury Close, Northwood, Kirkby, was detained nearby.

Following an investigation he was charged with murder and found guilty following a trial at Liverpool Crown Court.

Detective superintendent Helen Bennett said: “This is a terribly tragic incident. Neil Farrington died as a result of head injuries suffered during an assault by his own son.

“Neil’s family have struggled to come to terms, not only with his death, but in the manner in which he died and the subsequent arrest of his son.

“Their devastation has been further compounded by having to hear the graphic details of what happened that night played out in a courtroom.

“I hope that today’s verdict will give them some sense of closure and allow them to finally move on and grieve the loss of a loved one.

“Neil Badrock will now spend a considerable period of time behind bars reflecting on the consequences of his actions on that night.”

Reaction from Mr Farrington’s relatives

The family of Mr Farrington said: “This past week has been especially harrowing and heartbreaking for my whole family as each day we have had to sit through Neil Badrock’s trial for the cowardly, brutal and totally senseless murder of his own father and our much loved and much missed brother Neil Farrington.

“We would like to thank the team at Merseyside Police for their fantastic support throughout. From 17 May 2021 when the attack happened right through to the guilty verdict today their professionalism and compassion has shone through.

“We would also like to thank the many members of the Kirkby community who came forward with valuable information and testimonies to help us secure justice. Life will never be the same for any of our family but today’s verdict will help us a little as we try to rebuild our lives.”