Skegness homeless man found guilty of murdering holiday ‘cash cow’ from Corby

A homeless man who used a holidaymaker as a ‘cash-cow’, stealing his bank card, wallet and mobile phone has been found guilty of their murder.

A jury sitting at Lincoln Crown Court heard that Charles McGhee Adair had been visiting a music festival in Skegness between June 30 and July 2 when he randomly met homeless man Anthony David Robertson.

Mr McGee Adair was refused entry to the festival before making his way to Skegness town centre.

The jury heard that Robertson, aged 33, had randomly met Mr McGhee Adair, of Corby, in the street before the pair spent a night together drinking and buying drugs – funded by Mr McGhee Adair.

The men attended several bars, houses and shops that evening before they were seen entering scrubland on Richmond Drive, near Tesco. This is where Robertson beat his victim to death. Robertson was seen some time later leaving the area on his own.

Our Force Control Room then received the report of a body on the scrubland on 3 July at around 12.25pm and we launched a murder investigation.

A post-mortem examination confirmed Mr McGhee Adair, aged 59, had serious head injuries including ‘extensive’ fractures and deep lacerations to his face which a pathologist said had been caused by ‘multiple’ blunt force traumas. Robertson had clearly targeted his victim’s head causing the catastrophic injury in which his skull was cracked.

The pathologist said the injuries were not consistent with any particular weapon, but a piece of wood may have been used which was located in the scrubland. Following a complex investigation, Robertson, of no fixed address, was identified through CCTV, located, and arrested on suspicion of murder. He was charged with murder, robbery, and fraud by misrepresentation.

Robertson, who initially denied any involvement, had pleaded guilty to manslaughter at a previous hearing. However, the jury found him guilty of murder and robbery. He had previously pleaded guilty to fraud.

DCI Jen Lovatt, from East Midlands Special Operations Unit, said: “Robertson clearly used Mr McGhee Adair to fund his night out during which he was bought alcohol, food, and drugs.

“Robertson used his victim as a cash-cow and aimed to obtain as much money from him as possible. Adair was set to leave Skegness later the day he died and would have ended Roberson’s cash flow, leading to the attack. He clearly set out to exploit Mr McGhee Adair’s generosity.

“Our investigation showed that Robertson used his victim’s bank card after death. Robertson sold the victim’s phone without his knowledge during the evening prior to his death.

“This was a vicious attack in which Robertson beat Mr McGhee Adair and left him for dead. He stole his wallet containing his bank card which he used several times and also stole his mobile phone.

“This was a complex investigation and we would like to thank everyone for their support.

“Our thoughts are with Mr McGhee Adair’s family at this difficult time. He was a much-loved grandad, dad, and friend to many.”

Robertson will be sentenced on Monday.