Father hopes son's killer will 'rot' (From News Shopper)

Father hopes son's killer will 'rot'

12:05pm Monday 1st September 2008 in

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THE devastated father of a murdered man has spoken out about the "scumbag" who has been convicted of killing his son.

Jon Bartlett, 29, was blasted in the face with a shotgun by John Seton after the pair met near Chislehurst Common in March 2006.

A jury at the Old Bailey was told that Seton was a major drug dealer who operated in the Mottingham and Chislehurst area.

Jon's dad Michael Bartlett admitted his family were shocked that their son was mixed up in drugs but, contrary to reports suggesting his son owed Seton cash, he claimed that in fact Seton owed his son £24,000.

Mr Bartlett, of Goldcrest Close, Thamesmead, said: "A life for £24,000? I can't understand it. Is that all a life is worth now?

"We always knew that Seton pulled the trigger and we hope he gets what he deserves. I want to see him get the maximum tariff - it should be life for a life.

"This scumbag has affected so many people's lives with his actions."

Mr Bartlett, who runs a greengrocers in Bermondsey, added: "It came as a shock to us when we found out about some of the things Jon had been mixed up in.

"We had no idea about it but I don't think he was involved to the extent that has been made out.

"It doesn't change the way we think about Jon, he is still our son and we love him."

Unemployed Seton, aged 25, of no fixed address, faced a jury at the Old Bailey after police discovered him in a Netherlands jail last year, months after he was arrested for drug trafficking in the Dutch city of Arnhem in September 2006.

He was extradited to the UK and charged with murder after confessing his true identity and telling Dutch police he was wanted for the murder of Mr Bartlett.

He was convicted of murder at the Old Bailey on August 22.

Jon Bartlett, of Portland Road, Mottingham, ran a car repair business in Erith before he was killed and his dad says he had a promising talent for boxing.

His old club, Eltham Boxing Club, now hand over the Jon Bartlett Memorial Shield to the best newcomer each year.

Mr Bartlett, 50, said: "When we were first told about Jon's death we hoped there had been some kind of mistake. Of course we were devastated when we found out how he had died.

"Nobody knows how we feel - he was one-in-a-million.

"Jon was the life and soul of the party and never stopped smiling. Everybody thought they were his best friend - it was just the way he made people feel.

"He would light up the room when he walked in."

Seton is due to be sentenced later this month for the shooting in School Road, Chislehurst.

Mr Bartlett said: "The guilty decision does not provide closure at all. It is just the next step. Sometimes we take two steps back and one step forward but we have to take each day as it comes.

"I just want to kill Seton but I can't. He told so many lies. I hope he rots for what he has done."