Man escapes jail for helping cover up Michael Causer murder

Jun 27 2009 Samantha Parker

TOP judges declined to jail a man who covered up the brutal murder of gay teenager Michael Causer – despite finding that his original suspended sentence was too lenient.

Michael Binstead, 19, received a 34-week sentence, suspended for two years, after admitting perverting the course of justice over the murder of 18-year-old Michael, who was beaten and kicked to death in Huyton last year.

Hairdresser Michael was punched, kicked and stamped to death after a party which ended up at the home of Binstead's grandmother.

Lord Justice Keene, sitting with Mrs Justice Dobbs and Judge Michael Stokes QC, said that after the murder Binstead "assisted in the removal of Michael Causer", later calling for an ambulance and lying to paramedics that the teenager had been "attacked by three strangers in the street".

He persisted in lying about the attack in subsequent statements and in interviews with the police, said the judge.

It was only when the inconsistencies in his account became too glaring to defend that he admitted the truth.

James O’Connor, 19, is currently serving a life sentence for Michael’s murder.