A 93-year-old grandfather who was tortured for over 10 hours by his 'best friend' used his final words to identify his attacker before dying from his injuries. Samuel Michael Field, 40, has been sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum term of 22 years at Northampton Crown Court for the murder of Martin Glynn.
Brutal Attack Driven by Paranoia
The court heard that Field, a heavy cannabis user, became consumed by a paranoid delusion that Mr Glynn had betrayed him by giving a key to his home to an Irish traveller. On September 19, 2024, Field subjected his elderly friend to a relentless assault that included punching, kicking, stamping, and strangling him with such force that it fractured his neck.
Prosecutor Adrian Langdale KC described Field as a 'ticking time bomb' who carried out the 'senseless' attack while under the influence of cannabis. The pair had a 'long-standing imbalanced relationship' spanning nearly two decades, during which Field systematically exploited Mr Glynn, blackmailing him into handing over thousands of pounds.
Financial Exploitation
Financial analysis revealed that Mr Glynn made 701 ATM cash withdrawals between 2018 and 2024. In his final years alone, from September 2021 to the time of the attack, the terrified pensioner withdrew £21,780 in cash, handing over £200 in an envelope during his weekly visits to Field's home in Desborough.
Victim's Final Words
Despite his severe injuries, Mr Glynn managed to give a statement to detectives from his hospital bed. Detective Sergeant Bergin recounted: 'Martin informed me that Sam put his hands around his neck and squeezed. He said that Sam stated he was out to kill him. He squeezed so tightly that Martin thought he was going to die.'
Mr Glynn died on Boxing Day, three months after the attack, from multiple bleeds on the brain and a fractured neck.
Forensic Evidence
When forensic scientists searched Field's flat, they discovered a 'blood bath' with blood smeared on walls, floor, and skirting, alongside blood-soaked tissues and a pillow. DNA testing proved the blood was a billion-to-one match for Mr Glynn.
Previous Violent Offences
The court also heard that Field had previously been jailed for assaulting a three-year-old child in 2007 and a one-year-old baby in 2008. Mr Langdale said these attacks were 'chilling echoes' of the murder, as Field targeted the head area of vulnerable individuals in all three cases.
Family's Grief
In a victim impact statement, Mr Glynn's family described him as a 'quiet, soft-spoken man' and expressed their distress at the 'evil bestowed on such a kind, gentle, caring, loving, giving, good humoured, inoffensive soul.'
Detective Sergeant Megan Scotney of the East Midlands Special Operations Unit said: 'Samuel Field described Mr Glynn as his best friend of almost two decades. However, instead of looking out for Mr Glynn, Field exploited their friendship and tortured the 93-year-old over 10 hours, inflicting the most horrific injuries on a vulnerable man, which ultimately cost him his life.'
