Clacton: Charlie Jacobs jailed for life over “brutal” murder of Oliver Smith-Daye

Oli Smith-Daye Archant

A MAN has been sentenced to life in prison for an “unprovoked” New Year’s Day murder.

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Charlie Jacobs

Oliver Smith-Daye, known as Oli, was found unconscious in Trimley Close and taken to Colchester General Hospital where he died from head injuries.

Charlie Jacobs, 22, was found guilty of murder following a three-week trial at Chelmsford Crown Court. His girlfriend Elisha Francois, 22, was found guilty of manslaughter.

Yesterday, a judge sentenced Jacobs to life imprisonment and ordered him to serve a minimum of 15 and a half years while Francois was sentenced to six years.

During the trial, the court heard how Mr Smith-Daye had been subjected to a “brutal and sustained assault” by the pair while trying to retrieve his car keys from a house next door.

Mr Smith-Daye had been at a party at a house in the street and after leaving to get in his car, realised he did not have his keys. He returned, knocking on the door and calling to his friend through the letter box.

Mr Coffey said Francois came out of the house next door, shouted at Mr Smith-Daye for waking up her child and attacked him.

He said she was followed outside by her boyfriend, Jacobs, and her mother’s partner Didier who was not found guilty on any charge.

After the sentencing, Mr Smith-Daye’s family issued a statement: “The assault on Oli was brutal and unprovoked. The extreme force of the punches and kicks were delivered with such ferocity and savagery as to leave him lying unconscious.

“Oli was funny, intelligent and loving and his life was taken away by this heartless, vicious attack. For his family friends and all who knew and loved Oli, life can never be the same. It is us who have been given the life sentence, one of overwhelming grief and sadness.

“We all have a part to play in preventing the violent, thuggish and abusive behaviour, which frequents our streets. It is vital that we do not become complacent, but show an attitude of responsibility and commitment to making our community a safer place to be.

“The perpetrators of this horrendous act now have a long time to reflect on their part in our sorrow and we hope that they regret what they have done. Hopefully their incarceration will serve as a lesson to others to behave in a civilised manner and not take lives into their own hands at the slightest opportunity.”

Senior Investigating Officer, DCI Mark Hall, said: “There can be no excuse for the actions of Charlie Jacobs and his girlfriend Elisha Francois on that fateful start to the new year. They are clearly dangerous people who showed a complete disregard for the life of Oliver. Charlie Jacobs and Elisha Francois have now been sentenced and will have many years to reflect upon the utter distress they have caused to many people.”