Norfolk police called to two murders on same night

Police found Mr Rodwell in the hallway of the property in Downham Market at about 8.12pm on Sunday, January 23 last year following a disturbance.

At the time the 999 call had been made police had already been called to another murder in West Norfolk less than an hour before.

Officers were called to Leete Way, West Winch, at about 7.30pm on January 23 last year after Lauren Malt had been run over by her father Nigel Malt.

She was taken to the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in King's Lynn but died in hospital.

Speaking about the pressure on police resources, Detective Inspector Chris Burgess said: "This was one of two murder investigations launched on the same night following the tragic death of 19-year-old Lauren Malt who was killed in nearby West Winch. 

"While the timing and proximity of the incidents created challenges, we had sufficient resources in place to handle the murder investigations, both of which have led to the offenders being prosecuted."

Wayne and Riley Peckham were handcuffed while officers gave CPR to Mr Rodwell until paramedics arrived at about 8.30pm.

But Mr Rodwell was pronounced dead at the scene.

Speaking at the time Norfolk's chief constable Paul Sanford described as "unprecedented" the fact these two incidents were followed a few days later by the murder of Joe Dix, making three murders in just one week in Norfolk.

As previously reported Nigel Malt was last year sentenced to life imprisonment after he was found guilty of murdering his daughter.

Imposing a life sentence with a minimum term of 18 years, Judge Anthony Bate said Malt had used his car as a "lethal weapon".