Whilst a violent thug is sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum term of 15 years, the family of the elderly man he murdered have issued heartfelt thanks to the emergency services who rushed to their Dad’s aid after the incident.
Anthony Jacob, 75 and of Weymouth, died following a serious assault in Abbotsbury Road, which was reported to officers at 8.12pm on Tuesday 10 December 2024.
During the evening, Anthony had observed 19-year-old Jake Saunders damaging a white VW Transporter van parked on a driveway.
Anthony challenged Saunders, who then assaulted him, knocking him to the floor before repeatedly kicking and stamping on his head. Saunders, of Weymouth, reportedly left the scene shortly afterwards.
Anthony was airlifted to hospital for treatment to serious head and facial injuries.
Following a thorough search of the area by officers, Saunders was located in Newstead Road and arrested.
He assaulted three police officers while in custody.
A detailed investigation ensued – including securing multiple witness statements and a forensic examination of Saunders’ clothing – which led to him being charged with attempted murder before first appearing at Poole Magistrates’ Court on Friday 13 December 2024.
Anthony, known to his family as Tony and to many of his friends as Jake, sadly died from his injuries on Thursday 19 December 2024 and Saunders was subsequently charged with his murder.
During an appearance at Bournemouth Crown Court on Friday 28 March 2025, Saunders pleaded guilty to murder, as well as three counts of assault by beating of an emergency worker and two counts of criminal damage.
He was sentenced at the same court on Monday 19 May 2025 to life imprisonment with a minimum term of 15 years.
A spokesperson for the family of Tony Jacob said: “Firstly, we would like to say thank you to all the services – the police, paramedics, the air ambulance and staff at Southampton Hospital – who helped our Dad on the night of 10 December 2024 and in the days that followed. You did everything you could to save him and you cared for him with dignity and respect. As a family you gave us the chance to be with him, to hold his hand one last time and to say our final goodbyes.
“We would also like to thank the brave witnesses who came forward to speak to the police after Dad’s murder. It cannot have been easy to do and we will be forever grateful for your support of the investigation.
“Losing Dad has been devastating for our family, his friends and the community he lived within. Hundreds of people took the time to attend Dad’s funeral, to show their love, support and pay their last respects.
“Dad was an honest, hardworking man with a really kind soul and he didn’t deserve what happened to him.
“Life will never be the same without him and no sentence will ever be enough for what Jake Saunders did. It was pure evil. Dad’s life was taken for absolutely no reason – there will never be enough justice for this.
“This is something we will never get over as a family.”
Detective Chief Inspector Neil Third, of MCIT, said: “Anthony Jacob was subjected to a senseless and unprovoked attack after he bravely challenged the behaviour of Jake Saunders.
“Our thoughts will remain with Anthony’s family and friends, who have suffered an unimaginable loss as a result of Saunders’ violent actions.
“I would like to thank them for the support they have given throughout the investigation and court process as well as the dignified way they have conducted themselves throughout what must have been an extremely difficult few months.
“I also want to thank the investigation team who have worked extensively over the past few months to gather all the evidence available to them so that Saunders could be brought before the courts to face justice for his actions.”
Jake Saunders