Man jailed for murder of Jamie Gawler

A killer has been jailed for murdering a 54-year-old man in a homophobic attack in his home.

Matthew Jonathan, 39, of no fixed abode, was sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum term of  32 years today (Friday, 12 September 2025) at Worcester Crown Court for the murder of Jamie Gawler.

On 18 January 2025, the body of Jamie Gawler was found in his home having suffered blunt force trauma to the head, neck and chest.

Mr Gawler had become friendly with Jonathan who he had met a month prior, offering him a place to stay at his flat.

Mr Gawler was last captured on CCTV after midnight on Sunday 12 January purchasing items at a garage. By that evening, he had been subjected to a serious assault and was subjected to further violence over the coming days which left him incapacitated while Jonathan stole and used his mobile phone and bank cards.

Video and photo evidence captured by Jonathan on his phone showed Mr Gawler gravely injured as Jonathan tortured and directed obscene homophobic abuse at him.

Once he knew Mr Gawler was dead, he fled the area and on 18 January 2025 boarded a train for Cardiff with a friend before getting off at Porth, where he was later arrested outside Square’s nightclub.

When he was interviewed, he denied having any part in Mr Gawler’s death, claiming he had left him alive and was distraught that he was dead. However, he pleaded guilty to murder at an earlier hearing in April 2025.

Kate Seal, from the Crown Prosecution Service, said: “Matthew Jonathan’s torturous mistreatment of Jamie Gawler in his own home is a despicable crime.

“Jonathan subjected Jamie to prolonged violence over several days. At times he left Jamie alone, seriously injured, and unable to call for help whilst he went to buy alcohol with Jamie’s money.  He had the audacity to video his brutal violence and showed no mercy, even as Jamie pleaded for his mother. In one of the recordings, he bragged that he was willing to do a lengthy prison sentence for this offence which showed his complete disregard for Jamie’s life.

“Jonathan’s actions robbed an innocent man of his life and a family of a much-loved son, brother and uncle.  While no one can change the outcome of these horrific events, I hope that today’s sentence brings some justice to Jamie’s family. My thoughts remain with them.”