Two men have been found guilty of murdering their neighbour after bludgeoning him to death with a hammer. Franklin Ingram - known as Frank - was killed by his neighbours Martin Carty and Mark Sothcott, both 56 and from Yeovil, Somerset, at Carty's flat in June.
![[Franklin Ingram (pictured) was killed by his neighbours Martin Carty and Mark Sothcott on June 22]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/12/23/19/93438149-14222479-image-a-21_1734983705791.jpg)
However, it took more than 18 hours for either of them to call the emergency services, and when Carty did phone 999 he falsely claimed to have found Frank deceased on his sofa. The jury was told that on the afternoon of June 22, there had been an exchange of words after Carty had left rubbish near Mr Ingram's flat.
![[Martin Carty and Mark Sothcott, have been remanded to be sentenced in the new year. Pictured: Mark Sothcott]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/12/23/19/93438151-14222479-image-a-22_1734983709217.jpg)
A CCTV recording was played in which 68-year-old Mr Ingram later described Carty as an 'idiot' to another individual - stating he was going to contact the housing association responsible for the flats. The prosecution said shortly before 11pm, an 'angry' Mr Ingram went up to Carty's flat with a hammer. Both Carty and Sothcott were inside.
Jurors were told Mr Ingram and Carty became involved in a row before a fight between the three men ensued, in which the victim was headbutted and struck with the hammer. After a three-week trial at Bristol Crown Court, the jury unanimously found both men guilty of murder.
Martin Carty (pictured) called 999 and falsely claimed to have found Frank Ingram deceased on his sofa. Franklin Ingram (pictured) was killed by his neighbours Martin Carty and Mark Sothcott on June 22. Martin Carty and Mark Sothcott, have been remanded to be sentenced in the new year. Pictured: Mark Sothcott.
