A young man's life was tragically cut short after a social media post escalated into a fatal confrontation in a Kent shopping centre car park.
The Fatal Confrontation
Carl Gregory, a 20-year-old Pokémon GO player with Asperger's Syndrome and ADHD, was targeted by John Dickson, 27, at The Link retail park in Broadstairs in October 2016. The attack occurred after Carl posted an image on Facebook showing a woman jumping over statues of penises with the caption: "this is how most girlfriends get over their exes (sic)".
Carl's former girlfriend, Chloe Lemare, saw the post and interpreted it as calling her "a slag and a tramp". She subsequently informed her friend Christopher Pollard, 20, who then arranged to meet Carl at the retail park after sending threatening messages. Pollard brought Dickson along with him, leading to a violent altercation.
The Brutal Attack and Aftermath
During the confrontation, Dickson placed Carl in a chokehold and stamped on his head before leaving him for dead. Workers finishing their shifts at nearby shops discovered Carl's body, and he was pronounced dead at the scene. The post-mortem examination confirmed he died from asphyxiation.
Dickson was convicted of murder the following year and received a minimum prison sentence of 18 years. The judge, Adele Williams QC, increased the minimum term from 15 years due to Dickson's previous conviction for wounding and his demonstrated lack of remorse throughout the trial.
A Life Cut Short
During sentencing proceedings, Judge Williams read a heartbreaking victim statement from Carl's family describing their "devastating loss" and the ongoing pain they continue to endure. The family expressed being haunted by the unnecessary nature of his death and their absence during his final moments.
Carl was described as "loyal and thoughtful" with a passion for gaming, technology and Pokémon GO. The judge emphasised that he was a vulnerable young man with his whole life ahead of him when it was brutally taken away.
Detective Sergeant Ross Gurden commented on the case, stating: "I hope this case reinforces the message that the use of violence to resolve issues can result in life-changing consequences. Dickson is a young man who will now serve a considerable length of time behind bars."
Christopher Pollard, who arranged the meeting, was found not guilty of murder. The case serves as a stark reminder of how quickly online disputes can escalate into real-world tragedy.
