Mark Carpenter, 58, of Embankment Road, Plymouth, has been jailed for the murder of his 28-year-old housemate Harry Jackson. On Wednesday, November 11, a jury convicted Carpenter, and today HHJ Linford imposed a life sentence with a minimum term of 18 years. This was reduced by six months to 17 years and six months to account for time spent on remand.
Fatal Attack in Communal Hallway
Emergency services were called to a multi-occupancy house on Embankment Road at around 8.22pm on May 4, 2026, after a resident found Mr Jackson unresponsive in a communal hallway. Officers found Mr Jackson had suffered multiple stab wounds, and he was pronounced dead at the scene by paramedics.
The investigation established that Carpenter had stabbed Mr Jackson several hours earlier. Despite the severity of the injuries, Carpenter did not seek medical help or contact emergency services. Instead, he spent the afternoon and evening buying alcohol, making phone calls, changing his clothes, and attempting to clean bloodstains from the property.
Evidence and Conviction
A post-mortem examination found four stab wounds to Mr Jackson's back, including injuries that penetrated his shoulder blade and rib cage, as well as a deep and potentially fatal wound to his wrist that severed an artery. Medical evidence concluded he died from catastrophic blood loss caused by the combined injuries.
Detectives from the Major Crime Investigation Team gathered CCTV, forensic, and witness evidence showing Carpenter was responsible. Mr Jackson's blood was found on the knife recovered from the scene, on Carpenter's clothing, and on cleaning items from the property. Carpenter claimed self-defence, but the jury rejected this and found him guilty of murder.
Police Response
Detective Inspector Joanne Rotchell of Devon and Cornwall Police's major crime investigation team said: "This was a violent and senseless attack which resulted in the tragic loss of Harry Jackson's life. The evidence showed that after inflicting fatal injuries on Harry, Carpenter failed to seek help and instead took steps to conceal what had happened and continued to buy and consume alcohol."
She added: "I would like to thank all of the witnesses who came forward and assisted the investigation, as well as the officers, staff, and experts whose professionalism and dedication helped secure this conviction. Our thoughts remain with Harry's family and friends, who have had to endure the devastating consequences of his death. We hope today's outcome provides them with some measure of justice."
