Michael Phillips murder: 'No-one is above the law' - Police shed light on complex investigation as three killers sentenced

Lee Darby, 32, of Ridley Court, has been sentenced to 23 years in prison for the murder of the 39-year-old in his own home.

Neil Elliott, 44, of Briarfield Close, has been sentenced to 15 years in prison for his manslaughter and Anthony Small, 40, of Rydal Street, was given a 12-year sentence for manslaughter.

Det Sgt Matthew Waterfield, speaking outside Teesside Crown Court, said: “I hope this brings a degree of comfort to Michael Phillips’ family who have shown real dignity and courage during this lengthy trial. I wish them all the best as they try to move forwards with their lives.”

Four other defendants who were charged with murder, John Musgrave, 54, of Wordsworth Avenue, Sean Musgrave, 30, of Wordsworth Avenue, Gary Jackson, 31 of The Darlings, Hart Village, and Craig Thorpe, 36, of Young Street, were all acquitted.

DS Waterfield said the police respect the jury’s decision in coming to those verdicts.

The detective said the force would never condone street justice as a way of tackling crime.

He said: “As you have seen here, the actions of street justice have resulted in the murder of an innocent man.”

DS Waterfield said Mr Phillips was the victim of an unprovoked brutal and horrific attack and the trauma of listening to the evidence must have been unbearable for his family.

He said: “The investigation was always going to be complex because of the number of defendants and the lengths they went to to conceal evidence.

“However, our dedicated team of detectives was determined to achieve justice for Mr Phillips and his family and reassure the community that no-one is above the law.”

He said because of the reputations of some of the defendants many people in the community were just too afraid to come forward and on behalf of Mr Phillips’ family he wanted to thank those who did.

DS Waterfield said: “This result demonstrates that police and the wider criminal justice system will always work tirelessly to bring to justice anyone who believes they can take he law into their own hands.”