Man convicted of murdering Army War veteran

A man has been convicted of murdering a British Army War veteran who died after he was punched three times in a street attack in Stoke-on-Trent.

Gregory Twigg, 32,  was found guilty at Stafford Crown Court yesterday (10 July 2025) of killing 39-year-old Lee Woodward following the confrontation in Hill Street on 24 June 2022.

Mr Woodward had been on a night out with his partner when he walked past Twigg’s car and they got into a confrontation.

The court heard how Twigg delivered three punches that left Mr Woodward unconscious and unable to defend himself during the sustained assault.

Mr Woodward suffered a severe brain injury and was transported to University Hospital North Midlands. He died on 26 April 2023, nearly ten months after the attack, as a direct result of his injuries.

Twigg had already been jailed for eight years and three months in September 2022 after pleading guilty to grievous bodily harm with intent. During his trial, Twigg denied murder and maintained that he didn’t mean to kill Mr Woodward and had only wanted to give him a black eye. However, he has been convicted of murder following the trial that lasted four days.

Emily Lenham of the Crown Prosecution Service said: “This was a senseless act of violence that could have been avoided. Mr Woodward served his country with honour, and it is a tragedy that his life ended so violently. Although Gregory Twigg denied murder, he admitted in 2022 that he intended to cause Mr Woodward serious harm when he delivered the blows that incapacitated him, pleading guilty to causing grievous bodily harm with intent. Twigg is responsible for all the consequences of his actions, no matter how much time has passed. Justice has been served for Mr Woodward and his family and Twigg now faces considerable time in prison to reflect on the ramifications of his actions.”