The killer of Barry Johnson - a pensioner from Dudley who was killed in his home while unpacking his shopping - has been convicted.

Jay Gallier, a 33-year-old from Salop Road, Dudley, was convicted for the 67-year-old’s murder.

Mr Johnson’s body was found on the floor of his flat in Dean Court in August 2021 by a relative who visited to check on his welfare. A post-mortem revealed that Mr Johnson had died after being beaten around the head and neck. 

Investigations into the last movements of Mr Johnson’s revealed that he had been grocery shopping. He had been attacked just a few feet from his front door after he had been interrupted from unpacking his shopping.

The court heard how Gallier, who had a history of drug use, had circled the block of flats where Mr Johnson lived trying several times to gain entry. 

When officers searched Mr Johnson’s flat they found a pair of blue velvet slippers in the hallway, which was unusual as Mr Johnson lived alone. They viewed CCTV and discovered that Gallier had taken the slippers from the lobby area as he entered the block.

Forensic experts searched the victim’s flat and found a cigarette butt near to the body. DNA evidence collected from the cigarette identified Gallier, placing him inside the flat and when officers searched Gallier’s home they found blood stained trousers which, when tested showed they were covered in Mr Johnson’s blood.

Gallier has been convicted of murder and will be sentenced on Thursday, 27 April. Detective Sergeant Neal Hudson, who led the murder investigation, said:

“This was a harrowing case which involved a needless and violent assault on an elderly man in his own home. Only Jay Gallier knows why he attacked Mr Johnson that day and to date he has shown no remorse for his actions nor offered any explanation for what he did. 

“This conviction means a violent individual has been removed from the streets and we can only hope that Mr Johnson’s family can draw some comfort from the justice that has been served.”