Brown Clee Hill murderer jailed for at least 28 years

Moses Christensen, who murdered 70-year-old engineer Richard Hall in a random knife attack on Brown Clee Hill, has been jailed for life at Birmingham Crown Court with a minimum term of 28 years.

Passing sentence, Mr Justice Pepperall told Christensen: "This was a brutal and entirely senseless killing of an innocent stranger who had caused you no offence.

"You showed Mr Hall no mercy and you were later to tell the police that you felt no real remorse."

Moses Christensen has been jailed. Picture: West Mercia Police

The judge said Christensen had committed the murder "with great savagery" – having selected his victim as being vulnerable due to his age and the remote location.

Imposing a concurrent 28-month sentence for possession of an offensive weapon, the judge also told 22-year-old Christensen: "I am sure that your offending was pre-meditated over, at the very least, some weeks before you murdered Mr Hall."

Mr Hall, from Perton in Staffordshire, had been walking on Brown Clee Hill on Thursday, August 13 when he was stabbed to death by Moses Christensen from Oldswinford, who had gone missing from home after telling relatives he wanted to kill.

Police officers at the scene near the summit of Brown Clee Hill in south Shropshire

Senior investigating officer, DCI Mark Bellamy, from West Mercia Police's Major Investigation Unit, said after today's sentencing hearing at Birmingham Crown Court: "I'm pleased that a significant sentence has been handed to Moses Christensen for the brutal murder of Richard Hall.

"Christensen is a dangerous individual who will now serve a considerable sentence in prison where he cannot cause further harm to the wider public."

Police vehicles parked near the murder scene. Picture: PA Wire

"Richard Hall's family have understandably been left shattered, Richard was simply taking a walk on Brown Clee Hill when he was tragically killed in a senseless attack and my thoughts and condolences remain with them."

Richard's family has previously paid tribute to an amazing husband, father and grandad.

Richard Hall was stabbed. Picture: West Mercia Police

They said: "Richard was a brilliant man in every way, 70 years young, an amazing husband, father and grandad saying they had been left "shattered" by the tragedy and that they would "never fully comprehend what has tragically taken place" and that no sentence imposed could give complete justice for Mr Hall who they described as

They described Mr Hall as "a truly wonderful man who was loved, admired and respected by so many people".