Life sentence handed down to murderer following homophobic attack

Content warning: details of homophobic violence

Matthew Jonathan (39), who pleaded guilty to the murder of Jamie Gowler (54), was sentence to life imprisonment with a minimum term of 32 years at Worcester Crown Court on Friday 5^th September, the Crown Prosecution said. Jonathan was charged with the murder of Jamie Gawler, whose body was found on 18^th January 2025 in Hereford having suffered blunt force trauma to the head, neck and chest.

The man of no fixed abode had become friendly with Jamie Gawler in the month prior to the murder, and Jamie had offered him a place to stay in his flat. Jamie was last captured on CCTV after midnight on Sunday 12^th January purchasing items from a garage. That evening, he was subject to a serious assault by Matthew Jonathan and was subjected to further violence over the coming days which left him incapacitated while Jonathan stole and used his mobile phone and bank cards.

Video and photo evidence captured by Jonathan on his phone showed Gawler gravely injured as Jonathan assaulted and directed obscene homophobic abuse at him. Jonathan later fled the scene and on 18^thJanuary boarded a train bound for Porth where he was arrested.

Upon initial interview, he denied the accusations of murder. However, he pleaded guilty to murder at an earlier hearing in April 2025.

Kate Seal, a specialist prosecutor for Crown Prosecution Service West Midlands, said: “Matthew Jonathan’s torturous mistreatment of Jamie Gawler in his own home is a despicable crime.

“Jonathan subjected Jamie to prolonged violence over several days. At times he left Jamie alone, seriously injured, and unable to call for help whilst he went to buy alcohol with Jamie’s money.  He had the audacity to video his brutal violence and showed no mercy, even as Jamie pleaded for his mother. In one of the recordings, he bragged that he was willing to do a lengthy prison sentence for this offence which showed his complete disregard for Jamie’s life.

“Jonathan’s actions robbed an innocent man of his life and a family of a much-loved son, brother and uncle. While no one can change the outcome of these horrific events, I hope that today’s sentence brings some justice to Jamie’s family. My thoughts remain with them.”

Detective Chief Inspector Gareth Lougher, of West Mercia Police’s Major Investigation Unit, added: “We really welcome today’s sentencing of Mathew Jonathan.

“He will now serve a significant period of time in prison and whilst it will never bring Jamie back to his loved ones, hopefully it will bring some closure towards being an unimaginably difficult time for them.

“Thankfully, Jonathan pleaded guilty to the murder and that saved his family going through and reliving the ordeal that Jamie went through in the final days of his life.

“I would also like to thank my investigation team who worked tirelessly, through some extremely difficult circumstances, to bring about today’s sentencing.

“The investigation involved various teams from a number of forces who all worked together to bring Jonathan to justice”.

In a statement from Jamie’s family, they said: “We would like to thank the West Mercia Police and prosecution team for their dedication and support in bringing this case to its conclusion.

“The last eight months have been extremely traumatic for our family as we try, in our own way, to process the loss of Jamie, our son, brother, uncle and friend to many. Our lives have been changed forever and today has been another difficult day having to revisit what happened, but we are glad that some justice has been achieved.

“Jamie will be forever in our hearts and remembered as the kind, funny and gentle man that he was.”