A violent attacker who brutally murdered his girlfriend's brother in a fit of rage after being called 'pathetic' has seen his appeal for a reduced sentence rejected by senior judges.
Jordan Cook, now 29, was handed a life sentence with a minimum term of 21 years for the horrific killing of 25-year-old Ben Cook in Corby, Northamptonshire. The Court of Appeal has now upheld the original sentence, describing the attack as "sustained and brutal".
The Night of the Attack
The fatal confrontation occurred on August 28, 2021, when Cook launched a vicious assault on Ben Cook at the family home. The court heard how the argument began after Ben described his sister's boyfriend as "pathetic" during a heated exchange.
Cook responded with extreme violence, punching and kicking Ben repeatedly before stamping on his head with such force that it caused catastrophic brain injuries. Paramedics rushed to the scene but were unable to save the young man, who died from his injuries.
Failed Appeal Attempt
During the appeal hearing, Cook's legal team argued that the 21-year minimum term was "excessive" and claimed the judge had placed too much emphasis on the stamping incident. However, Lady Justice Macur dismissed these arguments, stating the original sentence was entirely justified.
"This was a sustained and brutal attack," she declared. "The judge was entitled to conclude that the stamping was a separate and aggravating feature of the assault."
A Family's Ongoing Trauma
The court heard emotional victim impact statements from Ben's grieving family, who described their ongoing trauma and the devastating void left in their lives. Ben's mother spoke of how her son's death had "shattered" their family forever.
Detective Inspector Simon Barnes of Northamptonshire Police welcomed the appeal decision, stating: "This was a horrific and needless attack which robbed a young man of his life and caused unimaginable grief to his family. We hope today's outcome brings them some small measure of comfort."
Cook must now serve his full minimum term before being considered for parole, with no guarantee of release at that point.
