Killer jailed for 16 years after murdering friend with pair of scissors

Jul 6 2012

A 40-year-old man has been sentenced to life imprisonment to serve a minimum of 16 years after being convicted of the murder of  an Amersham man Ryan Cronin.

Andrew Lambert, of Woodlands Road, Nash Mills, Hemel Helpstead, Hertfordshire, was sentenced at Reading Crown Court earlier today (July 6), after being found guilty of murder on Monday.

Lambert killed 41-year-old Ryan Cronin at his home in Quarrendon Road, Amersham, on 5 August 2011, stabbing him repeatedly with a pair of scissors.

At the sentencing hearing, Judge Reddihough said Lambert had committed a “brutal, frenzied and prolonged attack” with the intention of killing Ryan. He said Ryan’s body was not found until two days later, and following the incident, Lambert had taken steps to destroy evidence which would connect him to the killing.

Lambert said he went to Mr Cronin's on the night of the murder for sugar because his blood sugar was running low. He then claimed to have attacked Mr Cronin after suffering from a hypoglycaemic episode.

Det Sgt Rob Storrar, of Thames Valley Police’s Major Crime Unit, said: “Our thoughts remain with the family of Ryan Cronin, and I hope the conclusion of this case will help them to find some form of peace.”