Identical twins Kailum and Kieran Nightingale, 26, have been jailed after battering father-of-nine Shane Boxall to death in his own home in row over a drug deal said to have gone wrong
Two identical twins have been jailed after killing a “much loved” grandfather in his own home.
Father-of-nine Shane Boxall was set upon by Kailum and Kieran Nightingale after they were allegedly “ripped off” by him when they went to his home to buy drugs. They posted £150 through his letterbox, but did not receive any drugs.
After forcing their way into his home in a bid to get their money back, one of the 26-year-olds punched Mr Boxall in the head, while the other twin encouraged his brother. They had been warned that half of Mr Boxall’s skull had been removed during a previous operation, Hull Crown Court heard.
Kailum Nightingale and Kieran Nightingale both denied murdering Mr Boxall on April 25 last year, reports Hull Live. They were cleared of murder after the jury deliberated for just under four hours, but were convicted of manslaughter following a trial in December.
Kailum was jailed for 10 years because he dealt the fatal punch, while Kieran was locked up for nine years. Both were wearing white long-sleeved shirts and dark ties in court. They showed no emotion but nodded to supporters in the public gallery as they were led out of the secure dock to be taken down to the cells.
Mr Boxall, 44, lived in east Hull. In 2020, he had an operation to remove half of his skull on the right side. He was seemingly involved in drugs supply at the time. During the attack, the twins were warned several times by a woman that Mr Boxall only had “half a head”.
Peter Makepeace KC, representing Kailum Nightingale, said that the incident was not planned or premeditated. The twin had a family of his own and there was another side to his character that showed a “completely contrary side” to that seen in the trial. He had behaved well while in custody on remand and he now had the time to reflect on his situation and how he could avoid any future such behaviour.
Katherine Goddard KC, representing Kieran Nightingale, said that the defendant had kept out of trouble for about eight years before this incident. This coincided with the birth of the elder of his two children, now aged eight. He had spent 258 days in custody on remand. The prosecution claimed that the twins went to Mr Boxall’s flat before 6am and banged at his door. Mr Boxall “served them” through the letterbox and walked back to his bedroom.
After more banging and the shouting from outside about supposedly being short-changed, the brothers forced their way in. Kailum Nightingale shouted “just give me my money or give my stuff”, becoming enraged to the point that he kicked Mr Boxall’s bedroom door.
Two women there warned the brothers that Mr Boxall was particularly vulnerable because of having part of his skull removed. The twins were said to have “gone for” Mr Boxall and were shouting and screaming at him.
One of the women repeated that Mr Boxall had “only half a head”. Kailum Nightingale was said to have replied: “I don’t care. I will kill him.” He punched Mr Boxall on the right side of his head, causing him to fall to the floor and begin having a seizure.
Mr Boxall was treated by paramedics at the scene and he was taken to Hull Royal Infirmary. He was having ongoing seizures and a CT scan revealed bleeding on the brain. He was transferred to intensive care but his life support was later withdrawn and he died at 6.18pm on April 27. The prosecution claimed that the punch inflicted by Kailum Nightingale killed him.
Judge Thackray said: “I am sure those warnings were given and that you heard them. Despite the warnings, Kailum punched the deceased, who was cowering in the far corner of his bedroom, to his head. This caused the deceased to begin fitting and, ultimately, killed him.
“The consequences of your actions have been profound and are never-ending. He did not deserve to die, die such a violent and terrifying death, and his death is as tragic and unnecessary as that of anybody who is killed. Shane Boxall was much loved, indeed idolised by his siblings, children and grandchildren, who will never recover from his loss. No sentence I can impose can undo the damage you have done or lessen the pain to the loved ones of Shane Boxall.”
Neither of the twins gave evidence in their defence during the trial. Both of them had previous convictions and each had been sent to a young offenders’ institution for one year for offences of affray and possessing an offensive weapon in 2016.
