12:00pm Friday 12th September 2008
By Court Reporter
A DRUG dealer has been given a life sentence for the brutal murder of a Mottingham mechanic.
John Seton, aged 25, of no fixed address, was sentenced at the Old Bailey this morning (September 12) and told he must spend a minimum of 30 years in prison.
After a trial earlier this month, Seton was found guilty of shooting 29-year-old Jon Bartlett in the face with a shotgun near Chislehurst Common in March 2006.
Mr Bartlett, formerly of Portland Road, Mottingham, was pronounced dead at the scene.
The mechanic's family were in court for the sentencing and his dad said he was thankful for the lengthy sentence.
He said: "Seton got 30 years but it still doesn't bring my son back. My time at the Old Bailey is done and dusted now and I hope I never have to go back there.
"I am glad he got the maximum, it makes you feel a little bit better about it all.
"He showed no remorse and so deserves the maximum time, although it should have been a life for a life."
Seton fled abroad after the killing before admitting to Dutch police he was wanted for murder in the UK.
Speaking after the trial, Detective Superintendent Jill Bailey said: "This was a very challenging investigation, made more difficult by the destruction of the car involved in the crime and Seton being assisted by others to evade capture and operate under a false identity when he fled abroad."
Seton has been in custody since he was charged with murder in May 2007.
© Copyright 2001-2012 Newsquest Media Group
http://www.newsshopper.co.uk