Man, 30, sentenced for the murder of Robert Jadecki

A 30-year-old man has been sentenced to life in prison with a minimum of 27 years for the murder of Robert Jadecki.

In the early hours of June 16, 2021, 44-year-old Robert, who was homeless, was sleeping in Hester Street, Northampton, when Grant Richard Harding, previously of Northampton, launched a violent and unprovoked attack on him.

During the attack, Harding punched, kicked and stamped on Robert, all while shouting abuse at him. He was taken to hospital with serious injuries but sadly died later that day just after 9.30pm.

Emergency services were called and Harding, who was chased and detained by a member of the public, was arrested and subsequently charged with murder.

Following a trial at Northampton Crown Court in August of this year, Harding was found guilty of Robert’s murder by the jury, and today (December 16) at the same court, was sentenced to life in prison and must serve a minimum of 27 years.

In her remarks, Judge Lucking confirmed that the sentence reflected the fact that the attack was racially motivated because Robert was Polish.

Detective Sergeant Robert Gray from the Major Crime Team at the East Midlands Special Operations Unit said: “Robert Jadecki was a mild-mannered man who was well-thought of in the local community as well as by the Hope Centre.

“He was assaulted by Grant Harding in a vicious and unprovoked attack so I am really pleased that Harding has been handed this lengthy prison sentence as a result.

“Being homeless does not make Robert’s death any less important than anyone else’s, and again, we really want to highlight this point.

“Hester Street was Robert’s home, and he was savagely beaten to death in his sleeping bag. He didn’t deserve to die, and I am pleased that we have been able to give him the justice he deserves.”